MALI LIVESTOCK FOR GROWTH (L4G)

AECOM International Development MonthlyJune Report No. 9 20 July 2015

COMPONENT 1. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

1.1 Enhanced technology innovation, dissemination, and management  L4G staff continued selecting and recruiting Private Vets. The OVM of Region proposed four candidates who took a written and practical test on July 6. Dr. Amadou Mahamadou, Livestock Veterinarian Consultant, and Ousmane Kouyate, OVM President, administered the practical test at the main livestock market in Djalongo Quartier, 3 km outside of Sévaré. Dr. Amadou developed and corrected the written exams. Of four tested candidates, one fully passed both tests and is approved as a Private Vet for L4G, indicating he will be a good candidate for participating in the SVPP program. Final selection of L4G private vets is expected to be completed by the end of July. The OVM and L4G continue to screen and test other qualified candidates, with preference to use vets Practical test given to Private Vet who are adapted and experienced to work at the village level. candidates at the main livestock market  Dr. Amadou, Livestock Veterinarian Consultant, trained 31 Auxiliary Vets in Djalongo Quartier, Sévaré. for five days on two new modules: Internal and External Livestock Parasites and Parasite Life Cycles and Diagnostic, Treatment and Prevention of Principal Livestock Diseases.  Dr. Amadou also presented a five-day training (July 7-11) to 48 people, including 22 women in the first two SVPP L4G modules to become Auxiliary Vets. Many of the 22 women participating in the Auxiliary Vet training are students or graduates of IFP , and all are from L4G activity zones.  L4G trained 49 delegates from the Women’s Livestock as a Business Platform (WLBP) and Youth Livestock as a Business Platform (YLBP) June 29-30 in Bankass. 27 women attended the WLBP event while seven young women and 15 young men attended the YLBP. All received training in opening bank accounts, collective savings to support group business activities, and financial management, then presented financial reports and money management plans. 1.2 Increased access to quality inputs and services

 As part of the strategy to increase forage production, L4G sponsored a three-day training for seed multipliers July 8- 10 in Bankass. The trainer was M. Issa Dao, Sub-Sector Head of Agriculture for Kani-bonzon Commune, with co- facilitation support from L4G Koro and Bankass Cercle Coordinators. 28 participants attended, including 12 women. The purpose was to build a basic cadre of community-based service providers who can produce certified seed locally. Seed multipliers will work with L4G and Ministry of Agriculture authorities to produce stocks of improved varieties.  The trained 24 seed multipliers, including ten women, June 24-26 at Pel Village with L4G support. The L4G Coordinator signed contracts with 16 trained seed multipliers in Koro to multiply RRB groundnuts, KVX cowpeas, Bambara Nut, and millet variety HKP. Areas under contract range from ½ ha to 2 ha per multiplier.  The L4G Koro office distributed a total of 2,978 kg forage seeds (including 643 kg to seed multipliers) and the L4G Bankass office distributed 3,100 kg of seeds to producers (including 660 kg to multipliers). Next month L4G will report on the number of producers who received seeds (on loan). 1.3 Improved pastureland and water resources management  At the request of the village chief in Sokanda (Bankass Cercle, Dimbal commune), an L4G technician trained 35 people (including ten women) in contour ridge farming. Sokanda is ideal for this technique because the soils are clay,

Mali L4G Monthly Report: July 2015 1 Contract: AID-688-C-14-00004 the land is sloped, and the community has noted soil erosion problems. L4G will track the comparative yields before and after the installation of the contour ridge technology to determine impact.

 Water Management committees in Ende 1, and Ende 2, and Oualia villages continued to carry out routine structure maintenance under the guidance of the Mayor of Kani-bonzon. These works, 17 permeable dams along or below the Falaise, are co-managed by the local committees and the mayor’s office. The Kani-bonzon Mayor also met with the Village Chief of Kanikombole to make sure that his committee is operational and ensuring routine structure maintenance for four permeable dams built some 4 km above the village.

The same permeable dam on Completed permeable dam July 12. Note water collected at Ende II, Bankass Cercle up-and down-stream of the before the rains. This structure (water flows from structure collects water to left to right). Each rainfall expand irrigable areas for event adds to aquifer forage production. Eleven recharge for increased forage dams were built at Ende II production, plus the added with L4G support. Photo benefit of more secure water taken May 18. points for livestock.

1.4 Improved community literacy, numeracy, nutrition and hygiene practices

 From June 25-28, L4G trained 52 Village Animators (including 24 women) on village group participatory, non-formal adult training techniques, malnutrition, and the three principle food groups and their role in human nutrition. COMPONENT II. LIVESTOCK TRADE

2.1 Strengthened market linkages and access  L4G prepared and disseminated a report listing cattle markets, market days and times, and the state of existing infrastructure for stakeholders in Koro and Bankass Cercles.  L4G field staff identified and studied the strengths and weaknesses of eight livestock markets in Koro and Bankass Cercles June 28 to July 4. Among these markets are six collection points, two wholesale, and one export market. All of the existing market infrastructures except Koro Town lack arrangements and hangers to facilitate livestock trade and amenities for traders and buyers. The animals delivered are poor quality due to lack of Livestock market at that needs improvement. adequate feed, forage, and preventative animal health. Management of market infrastructure is also deficient. In all of these markets there is no management contract between the owner (the Mayor’s office) and the people purportedly managing the market. 2.2 Decreased barriers to trade  The L4G Trade and Market Linkages Specialist and Capacity Building Specialist produced a report on barriers and constraints to trade for L4G clients and other stakeholders. Major findings include: poor quality and inconsistent supply of animals; weak financing for livestock marketing; livestock passage corridors not organized for efficient delivery; dilapidated markets (poor loading and off-loading ramps, no toilets, cattle treatment chutes falling short of standards; cattle prices not diffused; forward sales contracts not used between producers and export agents; and rent- seeking behavior that cuts into producer and exporter profit margins. COMPONENT IV. STRENGTHENED LOCAL CAPACITIES AND SYSTEMS

4.2 Strengthened capacity of livestock value chain actors  This activity is focused on OVM (Ordre Régional des Vétérinaires du Mopti) and FOFBEV (Fédération des Organisations de la Filière Bétail Viande de Mopti). During July, L4G staff visited both and requesting they present terms of reference for an in-depth diagnostic of their operations and management by July 15. The studies will permit

Mali L4G Monthly Report: July 2015 2 Contract: AID-688-C-14-00004 L4G to conduct SWOT analyses and assess organizational structure capacity, management and operations, strategic planning capacity, financial operations and reporting to better mobilize them as partners.  On July 2 the COP and DCOP met with Dr. Niang of the Laboratoire Centrale Vétérinaire (LCV) to discuss their capacity to conduct the required study of the prevalence of livestock diseases. Previous discussions convinced LCV personnel to coordinate with the OVM ( and Mopti) to propose viable candidates for private vet training. COMPONENT V. ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

5.2 Increased capacity of civil society for policy analysis and advocacy  The DCOP and COP met with Dr. Coulibaly at MDR to discuss possible L4G support to build their internal capacity to engage with USAID Mali and receive funding to support PADESO perimeters. MDR expressed considerable interest, noting that present funding for PADESO is projected to end soon. MDR also noted that where natural pastures are relatively abundant, the constraint is livestock access to water points.  The DCOP and COP met with Dr. Henri Kaboré of the African Union/ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Centre (RAHC). RAHC focuses on strategies, policy and legislation in the livestock sector and works to harmonize vaccination campaigns. L4G informed Dr. Kaboré about program activities. Dr. Kaboré noted possibilities to collaborate to improve governance capacity, establish clearer rules for all stakeholders, reduce the most prevalent cattle diseases–PPCB and PPR—and support Standardized Methods and Procedures for Animal Health. OPERATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES  L4G participated in the third USAID FTF Partners’ meeting on June 16, which was held at the CVC office in Sévaré.  L4G nutrition specialist, Dr. Ousmane Sankaré, participated in the Regional Mopti Government thematic group meeting on human nutrition on June 19.  FTF partner IFDC presented to L4G staff on the efficient use of Urea (micro-dosing) at the Sévaré office on June 24.  From July 8-10, L4G M&E Specialist, Ismaila Zorom, supervised eight CADES surveyors who are conducting the baseline study for economic indicators (gross margin, value of exports, and livestock off-take rate) for L4G producers.  To ensure continuity of operations, reporting, planning, and support to field activities, the COP led L4G operations in Sévaré from July 14-20 while the DCOP was on leave for the Ramadan Holiday.

Mali L4G Monthly Report: July 2015 3 Contract: AID-688-C-14-00004