Monthly Report – July 2017

MONTHLY REPORT – JULY 2017

FEED THE FUTURE MALI CEREAL VALUE CHAIN PROJECT CONTRACT NUMBER AID-688-C-13-00002 COR USAID: CHARLES DAVIS CHIEF OF PARTY: RICHARD COOK

DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

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CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 7 IR1: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN IRRIGATED AND DRYLAND SYSTEMS IMPROVED ...... 7 PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE RICE VALUE CHAIN ...... 7 PRODUCER TRAINING ON TECHNOLOGIES AND GOOD RICE PRODUCTION PRACTICES...... 7 FUSCOCYNCOOPERATIVE TRAINING IN TECHNOLOGY EXTENSION (SRI) AND GOOD RICE PRODUCTION PRACTICES, INCLUDING THE EROSION CONTROL AND SOIL FERTILITY TECHNIQUES IN TIMBUKTU ...... 7 PRODUCER TRAINING ON IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT, HYGIENE, AND SANITATION OF IRRIGATION WATER AND THE SAFE MANAGEMENT OF PESTICIDES IN VIPS ...... 8 EVALUATION OF RICE DEMONSTRATION PLOT YIELDS FOR OFF- SEASON PRODUCTION ...... 8 CAT MEMBER TRAINING ON TECHNOLOGIES AND GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION PRACTICES ...... 8 TRAINING OF PRODUCERS ON THE EXTENSION OF SRI TECHNOLOGIES AND GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION PRACTICES ...... 8 PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF MILLET/SORGHUM VALUE CHAINS ...... 8 PRODUCER TRAINING IN IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES AND GOOD MILLET PRODUCTION PRACTICES BY CVC COACHES AND TECHNICAL SERVICE PARTNERS IN MILLET ZONES ...... 8 PRODUCER TRAINING ON SAFE MANAGEMENT OF PESTICIDES IN MILLET AREAS ...... 9 PRODUCER TRAINING ON EROSION CONTROL AND SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ...... 9 PRODUCER AND CAT TRAINING ON RAINFALL DATA COLLECTION ...... 9 DISSEMINATION OF TECHNIQUES FOR THE USE OF AGRICULTURAL LIME ...... 9 FACILITATE POS ACCESS TO INPUTS IN SIKASSO AND ALATONA ...... 9 DEMO PLOTS ESTABLISHMENT IN SEASON ...... 10 IR2: MARKETS AND TRADE EXPANDED ...... 10 POS SUPPORT THE BULK SALE OF MILLET ...... 10 FOLLOW-UP IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN USADF AND THE FINKOLO GANADOUGOU UNION OF WOMEN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO STOREHOUSES ...... 10 ESTIMATED FUNDING REQUIREMENTS (INPUTS, MARKETING, EQUIPMENT) FOR THE CROP YEAR 2017-2018 ...... 11 DEVELOPMENT AND INTRODUCTION OF LOAN APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCING FERTILIZER TO BANKS AND IMF BY FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES ...... 11 IR3. RESILIENCE OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS INCREASED ...... 11 PRODUCER TRAINING ON THE CROP ASSOCIATION MILLET/COWPEA OR SORGHUM/COWPEA ...... 11 IR4. LOCAL CAPACITIES AND SYSTEM STRENGTHENED ...... 11 CAT TRAINING ON THE USE OF POSTERS ...... 11 TRAINING OF NEW PO LEADERS ON THE SMFM MODULES...... 12 MONITORING AND EVALUATION ...... 12 REVIEW AND APPROPRIATION SESSION ON THE PROJECT’S INDICATOR ...... 12 SPECIALISTS’ TRAINING ON DATA ENTRY IN SHAREPOINT ...... 12 GENDER ...... 12 PRODUCTION OF SKETCHES TO RAISE WOMEN AWARENESS ...... 12 iv

COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION ...... 13 USAID-FUNDED PROJECT PLATFORM MEETING IN THE MOPTI REGION ...... 13

ACRONYM LIST

AECOM AECOM Technology Corporation AVRDC World Vegetable Center BDS/Sikasso Business Development Service/Sikasso BOA Bank of Africa CAT Community Agri-business Team COFERSA Convergence des Femmes pour la Sécurité Alimentaire CPC Coopératives de Producteurs de Coton CRS Catholic Relief Service CVECA/ON Caisses Villagéoises d’Epargnes et de Crédit Agricoles/Office du Niger CVC DIGNAFRIC Digne Afrique NGO DRA Direction Régional de l’Agriculture DRS-CES Direction Régionale Service social et économique FASCO Foire Agricole et Commerciale d Sikasso FFSWE Finance for Food Security and Women Entrepreneurs FtF Feed the Future GAP Good Agricultural Practices IFDC International Fertilizer Development Center L4G Livestock for Growth MCCAA Mali Climate Change Adaptation Activity M4 PO’s Self-diagnosis tool (Sell more for more) ME Monitoring and Evaluation ORM Office Riz de Mopti OHADA Organisation pour l’Harmonisation En Afrique du Droit des Affaires P4P Projet Achat pour le progrès PFP Program for Professional Training PO Organisation Paysanne (Producer Organization) SAFER Salon de la Femme Rurale SRI Système de Riziculture Intensif VIP Village Irrigated Perimeter WFP World Food Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The month of July is devoted to farming for a majority of CVC supported producers, and accordingly, program highlights for the month focus on capacity building, especially strengthening the capacity of coaches to train and advise cooperative members in best production practices; selecting cooperative members to manage demonstration plots1 as a platform to: (i) provide a “continuous” learning opportunity for PO members2, (ii) facilitate the dissemination of new production technologies, and (iii) serve as a focal point for expanding and diversifying commercial linkages with private sector input providers. These linkages will ensure access to the latest, quality inputs over the medium and long term. The second major effort focused on improving program management by strengthening the CVC M&E system through a focus on: (i) continuing to organize, verify, and update data in the CVC database, (ii) selecting a consulting firm to implement the 2017 annual survey that is slated to begin the first week of August and (iii) periodic training and discussions with the entire CVC M&E and technical team to ensure that the team understands CVC program indicators, what each indicator is intended to measure in terms of program performance and accordingly, and what specific types of data must be collected. With a view towards the final year, FY18, CVC collective management (ACDI/VOCA, Nyeta Conseils, and GForce) elaborated a the strategy for the development of an annual workplan intended to maximize the achievement of CVC objectives by the project assistance completion date (PACD).

IR1: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN IRRIGATED AND DRYLAND SYSTEMS IMPROVED Production and productivity of the rice value chain

Producer training on technologies and good rice production practices From June 15 to 26, CVC trained 2,326 producers, including 490 women (48%) from Djenné, Mopti, and Youwarou in the Mopti region on improved technologies and good rice production practices. In addition, public sector technical services (DRA and ORM) and the project developed and began implementing a strategic plan for the diffusion of improved technologies and good millet agricultural practices for the 2017-2018 campaign. These strategic plans revolve around: (i) contractual deliverables of technical services, ii) provision of a directory of beneficiary cooperatives, (iii) mobilization of adequate supervisory capacity (number of field agents engaged and their distribution), and (iv) implementation of a strict timetable for the execution of activities.

FUSCOCYN3Cooperative training in technology extension (SRI) and good rice production practices, including the erosion control and soil fertility techniques in Timbuktu

1 It is expected that most CVC supported producer organizations will establish a demonstration plot to promote the dissemination of new, improved technologies to cooperative members, as well as providing a mechanism for collaboration with commercial input providers, who can use demonstration plots to market/extend their most promising production technologies, practices, and products. 2 CVC identified cooperative member producers, both men and women, to manage demonstration plots and provide training and awareness services for other members of their cooperatives, as well as other producers in nearby villages. “Demonstration” producers will also work with collaborative private sector input providers to include new, innovative technologies in demonstration plots and work with private sector partners to organize field days to promote farmer-to-farmer training opportunities. 3 FUSCOCYN = Federation of the Unions Cooperative Societies of Youwarou and Niafunké

In Niafunké (Timbuktu region), the FUSCOCYN trainers trained 33 cooperatives in improved technologies and (SRI) practices. FUSCOYN provided this training at the same time as farmers purchased inputs and prepared nurseries. The federation appreciated this participatory training and felt directly involved. In addition, this participatory approach provides a partial solution to the problem of only having 2 coaches to train 103 cooperatives in Niafunké.

Producer training on irrigation management, hygiene, and sanitation of irrigation water and the safe management of pesticides in VIPs From June 14 to 18, the CVC project trained 186 producers in Sevaré (Mopti), including 49 women (26%), on irrigation management, hygiene and sanitation in the use of irrigation water, and safe management of pesticides. The project recently identified the beneficiary VIPs of these training modules in the beginning of 2017.

Evaluation of rice demonstration plot yields for off- season production From June 29 to 30, the CVC Mopti-based irrigation specialist placed yield squares in demonstration plots in VIPs of Kouin/Djenné (Mopti). Yield squares will enable the three implementing partners (CVC Project, AGRICHEM, and producers) to evaluate the impact of new technologies on off-season rice yields. The mission will continue in the next few days in the other POs.

CAT member training on technologies and good agricultural production practices From June 15 to 19 CVC trained a total of 228 CAT members from in the Alatona area and the Bougouni and Yanfolila districts, including 102 women (87 from Sikasso and 15 from Alatona), in new production technologies and good rice production practices. Participants represented 87 rice POs, 26 POs from Sikasso (lowland rice production systems) and 61 POs from Alatona (irrigated rice production systems). The topics discussed included: (i) the installation of the nurseries, (ii) soil preparation, (iii) transplanting, (iv) field maintenance, (v) fertilization, (vi) irrigation, and (vii) post-harvest handling. The training materials included a newly distributed training poster developed by CVC on the SRI production system in the irrigated area with total water control. At the end of the training, CVC gave a copy of the poster to each PO that hosted the training to facilitate a continuous refresher of SRI techniques by PO members.

Training of producers on the extension of SRI technologies and good agricultural production practices From June 16 to 19, CVC facilitated a training of 790 producer households, including 10 men, in SRI technology extension and good rice production practices, including erosion control and soil fertility management practices. During the same period, the DRA trained the same producers on the advantages of using good seeds to improve agricultural production and productivity.

Production and productivity of millet/sorghum value chains

Producer training in improved technologies and good millet production practices by CVC coaches and technical service partners in millet zones From June 1 to 18, CVC facilitated the training of 984 producers, including 642 women (65%) from Koro and Bankass in the Mopti region, on new technologies and good millet production practices. This training equipped producers with a basic understanding of new production technologies and good agricultural practices (GAP) from land preparation to the sowing of seeds. The DRA technical services used training posters conceived by the project as the key training tool.

Producer training on safe management of pesticides in millet areas As part of the implementation of the its Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP), CVC trained 188 producers, including 139 women (74%) from June 15 to 16 in Koro and Bankass (Mopti). The objective was to equip producers to comply with the CVC PERSUAP before the start of the 2017-2018 campaign. The training covered the following topics: (i) the proper use of fertilizers according to the USAID recommendations (AFR fertilizers Factsheet); (ii) integrated pest management, (iii) purchase of appropriate pesticides, (iv) how to choose pesticides, (v) transport of pesticides, (vi) storage of pesticides, (vii) dilution of pesticides, (viii) measures to be taken during the application of pesticides (wearing of personal protective clothing and equipment) and (ix) the management of pesticide packaging following application.

Producer training on erosion control and soil fertility management practices From June 2 to 18, the CMDT (Malian textile company) trained 817 millet and sorghum producers, including 3 women, on erosion control and soil fertility management techniques.

Producer and CAT training on rainfall data collection As part of a collaborative agreement between the CVC and the MCCAA projects, the later made 20 rain gauges available to CVC for CVC partner POs. These gauges will enable the POs to plan and implement agricultural activities in relation to rainfall information over the medium and long term. The MCCAA project trained the CVC project coaches from June 16 to 20 in Koro and Bankass. Trained coaches then trained 72 producers, including 15 women, from the 20 participant cooperatives. At the end of the training trained producers and CATs were able to read millimeters of rainfall, develop rainfall measurement schedules, and make crop observations. The CVC project provided each beneficiary PO with a record book for storing collected data.

Dissemination of techniques for the use of agricultural lime As part of the diffusion of agricultural technologies, the CVC project initiated a partnership with the private enterprise Stone, which produces agricultural lime, a soil additive for the improvement of soil fertility and of agricultural productivity, and they diffuse this technology through the use of demonstration plots. On July 2, CVC, in partnership with Stone, trained a total of 15 producers (no women), plus 2 agents from the DRA and ORM (no women) and 6 CVC agents (3 specialists and 3 coaches (including one women) in Sevare. The training focused on: what agricultural lime is, why agricultural lime is used, how to apply agricultural lime in rice and millet fields, what the advantages/impact of applying agricultural lime on agricultural yields are, and finally individual protection measures to be observed when applying lime. The session included the projection of documentaries on the positive results of the use of lime and a practical session of soil pH measurement before and after liming. The trainers applied lime in demonstration plots for wide diffusion.

At the end of the training, the producers and technical services expressed their interest to open a local representation for agricultural lime to facilitate its access and also suggested efforts to request that the Government include lime on its list of subsidized fertilizers.

Facilitate POs access to inputs in Sikasso and Alatona From June 13 to July 10, CVC agribusiness coaches assisted 136 POs, including 55 from Alatona, to evaluate their agricultural input needs in order that CVC can then assist them to access subsidized fertilizer with the help of government technical services. The producers need inputs for 9,160 ha, including 3,477 ha for women.

The table below provides details of expressed input requirements.

Table 1: Input needs for the 2017 campaign Sites Seed(MT) DAP (MT) NPK (MT) Urea (MT) Pesticide Pesticide (Ha) (Liters) (Packets) Sikasso 8 073 57.75 18.850 30.75 1 173 107 3738 Alatona 204 422 545.300 - 1,177.100 25 14 611 5 422 Total 212,495 6030.50 18.850 1,146.350 1193 14 718 9 160

Demo plots establishment in season From June 13 to July 10, CVC identified 100 producers, including 39 women, from the Sikasso region and Alatona to manage demonstration plots and coordinate the distribution of improved seed and cooperative training. Of the 100 demonstrators identified, 49 were from Sikasso and 51 from Alatona. Seed distribution amounted to 1.4 tons (100 kg in Alatona and 1.3 tons in Sikasso). In addition, CVC trained 170 producers, including 88 women (15 from Alatona and 73 from Sikasso) in techniques to set-up and manage demonstration plots in 79 POs (32 in Sikasso and 47 in Alatona).

During the same period, and in preparation for the 2017-2018 crop year, CVC identified a total of 358 demonstrator producers, including 18 women, and mobilized 1.072 tons of seed. Of these, the project trained 24 producers, including 2 women in crop establishment techniques and in the management of demonstration plots. In addition, 5 producers (all men) participated in the training on the use of agricultural lime techniques. Due to the delay and the poor distribution of rainfall, the establishment of demonstration plots has been a slightly delayed; CVC has currently only fully implemented 4 millet demo plots and efforts are underway to set up more.

IR2: MARKETS AND TRADE EXPANDED POs support the bulk sale of Millet From June 1 to 30, the project assisted POs in Bankass (Mopti region) in the bulk sale of 2.5 tons of millet with a value of

From June 12 to July 10, CVC assisted POs in the Koutiala and Yorosso districts in the bulk sale of 20.961 tons of sorghum and millet (15.279 tons of sorghum and 5.682 tons of millet) at for sorghum by 48 producers including 2 women

Table 2: Total bulk sales recorded for the month Cereals Volume sold (tons) Value ($) Sorghum 15.279 Millet 8.182 (2.5 MT + 5.682 MT)

Follow-up implementation of the partnership between USADF and the Finkolo Ganadougou Union of women for the construction of two storehouses On June 27, the CVC project coach carried out monitoring of construction of two 100-ton storehouses for the women’s cooperative of Finkolo Ganadougou. The construction is monitored weekly by the coach of the area, monthly by the CVC Sikasso based gender specialist, as well as through the organization of joint missions by the US ADF and CVC. On June 27, the project estimated construction was 70% completed.

Estimated funding requirements (inputs, marketing, equipment) for the crop year 2017-2018 From June 13 to July 10, CVC assisted Sikasso POs in estimating their financing needs for the 2017-2018 cropping season. The estimated requirements for 11,339 producers, including 5,076 women, representing of 55 POs was that the POs plan to use to purchase agricultural inputs (seed, DAP, urea, NPK, and pesticides). It should be noted that the requirement for 5,076 women amounted to .

Development and introduction of loan applications for financing fertilizer to banks and IMF by financial intermediaries To date, 55 loan applications were deposited at the BNDA, Kafo jiginew and Soro Jiriwaso in Sikasso for a total amount of by financial intermediaries. In addition, financial intermediaries have developed and submitted to financing institutions (BNDA, Soro Yiriwaso, and Kafo jiginew) business plans of 44 POs, representing 2,890 producers, including 2,315 women for an amount of

IR3. RESILIENCE OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS INCREASED During the month of June, surveys to measure the impact of CVC interventions on vulnerable group households continued in Mopti; 270 households of 54 POs have been surveyed. Out of 300 households originally planned, CVC has to date surveyed 295 households since May. The analysis of the data collected helped to assess the impact of project assistance on vulnerable households. Preliminary analysis shows that there was an increase in rice yield from 4,35tons/ha to 4.81 tons/ha from 2015-2016 to 2016-2017. Households produced 20,224 tons of organic fertilizer, capable of fertilizing 1,743 ha. With the use of organic fertilization at a dose of 11.6 tons/ha, production/productivity in 2017 should increase compared to 2016.

In Sikasso, the reporting period was highlighted by the mobilization and distribution of in local savings by 730 women belonging to 45 Save for Change (S4C) groups. In total, the project assisted 1,064 women of 45 S4C groups in the communes of Nièna, Finkolo Ganadougou, Loulouni, and Zégoua.

Producer training on the crop association millet/COWPEA or sorghum/cowpea From June 15 to 19, CVC trained producers from the Sikasso, Koutiala, and Bougouni districts on the intercropping of millet/cowpea and sorghum/cowpeas. The objective was to show producers the economic benefits of intercropping. A total of 104 producers, including 32 women, representing 20 POs participated in the training in the Sikasso (Gongasso) Koutiala (Zangasso) and Bougouni (Farangouaran) districts. Following the training, 54 producers including 16 women, from 13 POs indicated that they would undertake intercropping on an area of 31.25 hectares.

IR4. Local Capacities and System Strengthened CAT training on the use of posters From June 15 to 19, CVC trained CATs (Community Agri-business Teams) from the Bougouni, Yanfolila, and Altona districts on the use of posters. 406 CAT members, including 110 women, participated in this training. The topics discussed were: good millet and sorghum production practices, SRI technologies in the lowland, and in irrigated production systems. The training will continue to include an additional 574 CAT members.

Training of new PO leaders on the SMFM modules. From June 13 to 15, CVC trained new PO leaders from the districts of Koutiala and Alatona on the modules SMFM. A total of 464 PO leaders, including 203 women, participated in the training. The two modules presented were organization of cooperatives and marketing.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION June was highlighted by the preparation of the CVC 2017 annual survey to be conducted by an independent consulting firm. The survey will cover the collection of sales data from the 2016-2017 campaign. The objective is to complete data collection for the calculation of gross margin and incremental sales of project supported producers. Following a public request for proposals a selection committee evaluated the technical and financial submissions that conformed to announced requirements, finally selecting the consultancy firm of AIIER (International Agency for Engineering Studies and Realization). The CVC project prepared a timetable for implementation of the survey and preparations are underway to finalize an updated list of producers to be sampled, finalize, and field test data collection forms and update methodology documentation necessary for the proper conduct of the survey.

Review and appropriation session on the project’s indicator From June 22 to 23, the monitoring and evaluation team took advantage of the CVC Sikasso staff monthly meeting to refresh the team’s understanding of the project’s 18 indicators. Twenty-eight CVC staff, including 8 women (22 coaches including 7 women, 5 specialists, including 1 women, and 1 intern), participated in this review session. Discussions focused on: the precise definition of indicators, annual and LOP targets, and the present level of achievement.

Specialists’ training on data entry in SharePoint From June 28 to 29, the project trained five specialists, including one woman of the CVC Sikasso coordination in data entry procedures for the CVC SharePoint database. This training is part of on-going efforts to reinforce data capture and entry protocols, especially during periods of intense collection activities.

GENDER Production of sketches to raise women awareness On June 20, women members of the Saving for Change groups of the COFRN (Cooperative des Femmes Rurales de Niena), a CVC partner, presented two outreach sketches (1 on the organization of cooperatives and 1 on the safe use and management of pesticides). Of the 5 themes identified, CVC chose these two themes for their broad appeal and potential impact on producer groups at the start of the 2017-2018 agricultural season. The project produced both sketches on video and will use them to raise awareness among producer groups. The next step will be their dissemination to women's and men's organizations in the Sikasso Region.

COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION USAID-funded project platform meeting in the Mopti region On June 13, Care International held the USAID-funded projects platform meeting in Sevaré, Mopti region. Twenty people, including one woman (a SNGP representative). Representatives of the following projects were present4: FTF Mali CVC, L4G, KJK, USAID/EESA, UNICEF/WASH, USAID/SIAPS, USAID/PNH, MCCAA, IRC, HARANDE, CRS and SNGP (sub-national governance program), RRI and Mercy Corps. The representative of Mercy Corps made a brief presentation of his project aimed at strengthening the resilience of households through facilitation of increased access to existing financial tools and applications. Their project partners operate in the areas of micro Finance, (SOROYIRIWASSO), money transfer (Orange Money) and agricultural insurance (Planete Guarantee – voucher guarantee system). The project is located in the Djenné, Bankass, and Bandiagara districts.

The platform reviewed the synergy framework and observed that synergy activities are increasingly implemented. It also recalled its interest in SMFM training and marketing as part of the synergy with CVC and asked CVC to elaborate a TOR on these themes and invite interested parties to participate. The platform discussed new activities related to the assistance of local authorities in the development of PDESC (Plan Development Sectorial Communes), focused on climate change. The projects concerned are HARANDE, MCCAA, SNPG (Sub-National Governance Program) with the ADR/DREF (Regional Development Agency/Regional Direction of Health) of Mopti as lead.

The platform also addressed the question of the standardization of per-diems. Based on responses of a questionnaire submitted to the platform's partner projects, the platform is working to harmonize per-diems. As for the technical service agents, USAID will be asked to provide GRM texts for the payment of per-diems to civil servants.

Finally, the mandate of CVC as a focal point of the platform has come to an end and HARANDE will assume the role of focal point, with the next meeting scheduled for August 8 at the CARE International office.

4 FtF Mali CVC, L4G (Livestock for Growth), KJK (keneya jemu kan), USAID/EESA (Education en Situation d’Urgence), UNICEF/ WASH, USAID/SIAPS (Stronger health systems. Greater health impact), USAID/PNH (USAID/Project Nutrition/Hygiene), MCCAA (Mali Climate Change Adaptation Activity), IRC (International Rescue Committee), HARANDE, CRS (Catholic Relief Services), SNGP (Sub-National Governance Program), RRI (Right Resource Initiative), and MERCY CORPS.