Feed the Future Improved Seeds for Better Agriculture (SEMEAR) Agreement No: AID-BFS-IO-17-00005

FY2020 5th Year of Project Implementation

st 1 Quarter Report: October - December 2019 Revised

31 January 2020

Prepared By: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) MOZAMBIQUE www.iita.org

This report is made possible by the support from the Feed the Future, the US Government Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of IITA and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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1st Quarter Report for FY2020: October 2019 – December 2019

I. Project information

Project Duration: 5 years Starting Date: October 2015

Life of project funding: Total project budget: US$11.5 M

Geographic Focus: (Angoche, Malema, Meconta, Monapo, Ribaué, Rapale, Murrupula, and Mogovolas districts), Zambézia province (Gurué, Alto Molocué and Mocuba districts), (Barué, Macate, Manica, and Sussundenga districts) and (Angónia, Tsangano, and Macanga districts).

Project Objectives:

1. Increase the production and supply of breeder, pre-basic, basic, and certified seeds of common bean, cowpea, groundnut, pigeon pea, sesame, and soybean in the major FtF ZOI and strengthen the national seed systems

2. Scale-up and enhance the adoption of improved varieties and best management practices in the FtF ZOI using participatory approaches

3. Enhance national policy dialogue on seed and fertilizer supply

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II. Contents I. Project information ...... 2 II. Contents ...... 3 III. Acronyms and Abbreviations ...... 4 V. Executive Summary ...... 6 1. Project Background ...... 7 2. Project Performance during the first quarter (October–December 2019) ...... 8 2.1.1 Progress on breeders/pre-basic and basic seed production ...... 8 2.1.2. Progress on certified seed production ...... 10 2.1.3. Seed Distribution and Sales ...... 12 2.1.4. Seed Enterprise Development ...... 13 2.2.1. On-farm demonstrations ...... 14 2.2.2. Training and scaling up adoption ...... 16 2.2.3. Field days, exchange visits, and meetings ...... 16 2.2.4. Gender Issues in SEMEAR Implementation ...... 17 2.2.5. Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) Compliance ...... 18 3. Communications and farmers’ outreach ...... 18 4. Project Performance Indicators ...... 21 5. Major Implementation Issues ...... 24 6. Collaboration with other donor projects ...... 24 7. Key Activities Planned for Next Quarter ...... 24 8. Evaluation / Assessment Update ...... 25 9. Administrative Update ...... 25 10. Financial Information ...... 26

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III. Acronyms and Abbreviations APROSE Associação pra a Promoção do Sector de Sementes CBSG Community-Based Seed Grower CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research COPAZA Cooperativa de Produtores da Alta-Zambézia CIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical CBO Community-based Organization CZNdt Centro Zonal Nordeste CZNrt Centro Zonal Noroeste CZC Centro Zonal Centro DINAS Direcção Nacional de Agricultura e Siviculta DPA Direcção Provincial de Agricultura e Segurança Alimentar FAs Farmers’ Associations FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FtF ZOI Feed-the-Future Zone of Influence FtF – InovA Feed the Future Innovations for Agriculture Activity FtF STP Feed the Future Seed Trade project ICRISAT International Centre for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics IIAM Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture InovAgro Innovation in Agribusiness (Swiss-funded project) MASA Ministério de Agricultura e Segurança Alimentar PAN Posto Agronómico de Nampula SBS Sociedade de Beneficiamento de Sementes QDS Quality Declared Seeds SDAE Serviço Distrital de Actividades Económicas RAMA – BC Resilient Agriculture and Marketing Activity – Beira Corridor TNS TechnoServe Inc. USAID United States Agency for International Development

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IV. Contributors and Acknowledgements

Contributors

Malita CJ, Boahen SK, Wiredu AN, Savala CEN, Chibeba A, Embaló FM, Belarmino D, Gaudêncio S, Maereka E, and Madzonga O, on behalf of project implementing partners.

Acknowledgements

We want to extend our acknowledgement to project technicians who tirelessly continue to devote efforts at creating awareness about the benefits of improved varieties, best management practices and produce EGS that are supplied to seed producers for multiplication into certified seeds. These efforts lead the increase production and supply of good quality seeds that are distributed to farmers and other stakeholders in the Feed the Future ZOI and across the country at large. Gratitude is also paid to those who directly or indirectly contribute to the achievement of this mission, developing resilient farming systems that play a major role in feeding the country and contribute to economic growth.

Thank you very much!

Carlos Malita

Nampula, January 2020

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V. Executive Summary

The focus of SEMEAR during last year of the project is providing technical support to partners to consolidate the achievements and sustain the outputs and outcomes of project. During the first quarter of FY2020, activities conducted included seed distribution to partners, land preparation for early generation seed (EGS) production, collaboration with seed producers to establish demonstration plots on varieties and good crop management practices to create demand for seeds, training of seed producers and farmers and other awareness creation activities. SEMEAR consortium partners planted 10 ha breeder/pre-basic and 42 ha basic seed fields across four crops: common bean, groundnut, pigeon pea and soybean. Cowpea and sesame will be planted in the second quarter around mid-January 2020. The project supported partners including seed companies, individual seed producers, farmers’ associations and NGOs to produce certified and quality declared seed (QDS) through the supply of basic seeds, training on seed production and providing technical advice. During the first quarter of FY2020, 18.88 tons of basic seed were sold to seed companies, agro-dealers, farmers associations and community-based seed producers to produce certified seed. The basic seed sold is expected to plant 704 ha of certified seed fields. Among the six crops being promoted by SEMEAR, soybean was the first to be planted; hence an estimated 541 ha certified seed and QDS area was planted by partners during the first quarter. Area planted to the other crops will be available in the second quarter. SEMEAR collaborated with seed producers and other partners, to jointly establish 298 demonstration plots on varieties and inputs across the FtF ZOI by the end of the first quarter to create awareness and demand for improved seeds. Thirty-nine percent of the demonstration plots are hosted by females. The demonstration plots will be used to train farmers, for field days and also to showcase the potential of the technologies. The project made concerted efforts to increase female participation in project implementation through targeted training, demonstrations and contribution of limited quantities of improved seeds and other inputs to females to host demonstration plots. Training sessions on appropriate varieties, crop management, pests and diseases, seed business and marketing were conducted. During this quarter, 216 stakeholders (27% females) participated in the training. Routine first quarter FY2020 M&E data were collected from partners and beneficiaries to assess the performance and impacts of the project.

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During the period under review the project improved its communication through printing and distribution of a seed manual, development of an agriculture calendar and engaging other private organizations for the dissemination of SEMEAR promotion materials on good agricultural practices

1. Project Background

Agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers is limited by lack of access to good quality seeds and other inputs such as fertilizer and crop protection chemicals. In addition, poor crop management practices constraints productivity on many smallholder farms. Climate change resulting in frequent droughts, intense floods and other weather phenomena has worsened the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Over the last four years, SEMEAR partnered with private sector seed companies, farmers associations and other community-based organizations, public agencies such the Technology Transfer Centers and the Extension Service as well as other donor-funded projects to increase access to seeds of high-yielding and resilient varieties. The project and its partners have also improved the dissemination of sustainable crop management practices to improve resilience to climate change and increase productivity. The goal is to enhance the adoption of improved technologies, income, and food security of smallholder farmers in the Feed the Future (FtF) Zone of Influence (ZOI) in the provinces of Manica, Nampula, Tete and Zambézia.

The project is being implemented by a consortium of four partners: IITA, IIAM, CIAT and ICRISAT focusing on the six crops that are important for the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in terms of food security and income generation. The crops are common bean, cowpea, groundnut, pigeon pea, sesame and soybean. The key role of the consortium partners is to produce and supply breeder, pre-basic and basic seeds for the production of certified and quality declared seeds (QDS) by seed companies, community- based seed producers, and other seed growers. The project encourages farmers to buy certified seeds and inputs through training and awareness creation activities, identifies and trains community seed producers to engage in profitable seed production enterprises, facilitates seed field inspection and certification, and links seed producers to seed buyers. SEMEAR is in the fifth and last year of implementation; hence the activities of the remaining period focus on consolidation of the progress made to ensure sustainability of the project results. This report provides progress on project activities during the first quarter of FY2020 from October to December 2019.

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2. Project Performance during the first quarter (October–December 2019)

Activities during the first quarter focused on land preparation for planting, selection of partners for to host demonstration plots, setting up demo plots with partners and distribution of basic seeds to partners. Other activities include participating in agricultural fairs, off-season cowpea, soybean and common bean pre-basic and basic seed multiplication and supporting partners to produce common bean early generation seed (EGS) under irrigation. Large proportions of soybean and groundnut fields were planted in December 2019. Majority of the pigeon pea and common beans will be planted in the second quarter, whereas cowpea and sesame are late planted crops, so planting will begin during the second quarter. The details of activities implemented during the first quarter of FY2020 are outlined by objective in the sections below.

Objective 1: Increase the production and supply of breeder, pre-basic, basic, and certified seeds in the major FtF ZOI and strengthen the national seed systems 2.1.1 Progress on breeders/pre-basic and basic seed production

Early generation seed (EGS) production commenced with land preparation for all six crops in October 2019. Planting of soybean and groundnuts began in the first week of December 2019 at the onset of the rains. The rainfall so far has been generally good across the project locations

Common bean Common bean pre-basic and basic seed production fields were established using irrigation facilities during the last quarter of FY2019 at Folontia in Angonia and Penhalonga in Manica, and were harvested between October and November 2019. SEMEAR also worked with IIAM partners at Chokwe. Through these efforts a total of 450 kg of NUA 45 pre-basic and 432 kg of NU 45 and Sugar 131 basic seeds were produced, while IIAM produced 1.8 tons of pre-basic and 5.5 tons of basic seed by November 2019. For the rain fed crop, common beans EGS production operations is being concentrated in Tete province, where 8 ha (1 ha breeder seed, 2 ha pre-basic seed and 5 ha basic seed) have been planted (Table 1) expecting to produce 8 tons of EGS.

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Table 1: SEMEAR FY2020 early generation seed targets and area planted by end of the first quarter (Oct-December 2019) Crop Breeder/pre-basic (ha) Basic (ha) Target Planted Target Planted Soybean 0.5 3 15.0 20 Common bean 2.5 3 5.0 5 Groundnut 2.6 4 18.7 15 Pigeon pea 0.05 TBP 2.15 2 Cowpea 0.30 TBP 10.0 TBP Sesame 0.012 TBP 2.0 TBP Total 6.0 10 52.9 42.0 *TBP = To be planted between January and February

Cowpea and Sesame SEMEAR established off-season cowpea seed multiplication field under irrigation at Namarripe in Gurue district and Nampula in August 2019 and harvested 220 kg of pre-basic seed by the end of November 2019. The seeds harvested are enough to plant 9 ha of basic seed field. The optimum planting period for cowpea and sesame is from mid-January to late February. However, 16 ha of land have been Figure 1. Harvesting of off-season cowpea in prepared for planting the two crops in the Nampula second quarter. The cowpea varieties being promoted are IT-16, IT-18, IT-390-2, IT-1069, and IT-1263. Sesame varieties to be planted on the other hand are Linde, Nicaragua and Rama. in Nampula and Manica provinces. Activities on the two crops will be concentrated in Manica and Nampula provinces with limited operations in Zambezia province.

Groundnut and pigeon pea Land preparation for groundnut and pigeon pea was conducted during the first quarter of FY2020 at various IIAM Research Stations. Planting of groundnut started in early December 2019 and so far 4 ha of

9 breeder seed and 15 ha of basic seed have been planted at IIAM Stations at Ntengo Umodzi and Villa Ulongue (Table 1). The varieties include Nametil, ICGV–SM 99568, JL 24, CG 7 and Mamane. Two hectares of pigeon pea variety ICEAP 00557 basic seed have also been planted.

Soybean Soybean is the first among the ix crops to be planted. The major soybean activities such as land preparation and seed distribution for FY2020 began in October 2019. Planting in Tete and Zambezia provinces started during the first week of December 2019. In Manica and Nampula provinces, planting began in the last week of December 2019 because the rainfall lagged behind the Figure 2 Soybean pre-basic seed multiplication at Ruace, two major soybean production regions of Gurue Tete and Zambezia. In total, 3 ha of pre-basic and 20 ha basic seeds fields have been established (Table 1). Varieties planted include Wamini and 10E (early maturing); Sana (medium maturing); and Zamboane and Wima (late maturing).

In summary, planting of four out of the six crops began in the first quarter, while planting of cowpea and sesame will begin in the second quarter around mid-January. So far, 10 ha of breeder/pre-basic seeds fields have been established, whereas 42 ha of basic seed fields have been planted (Table 1). Planting of EGS fields will continue into the second quarter particularly for cowpea and sesame.

2.1.2. Progress on certified seed production The main focus of activities on certified seed during the last year of the project is to provide technical support to partners that will consolidate and sustain certified seed production after SEMEAR ends. Hence, SEMEAR worked with certified seed producers to establish demonstrations on varieties to create awareness and demand for the seed they are producing. The partners were trained on setting up demonstrations plots to gain the skills to establish the demos on their own in the future. The project is working jointly with SDAE to ensure continuity of support to the seed producers after SEMEAR ends. The project linked community seed growers to seed company out grower schemes to market their seeds.

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Seed production by project partners is progressing well; however, activities on soybean are well advanced compared to that for the other crops since soybean is the first crop planted. Current estimates indicate that about 541 ha of soybean certified seed fields have been planted by partners by the end of the first quarter which is lower than the 635 ha planted last year around the same time. Perhaps the short delay in the onset of rainfall this season or a slower pace in gathering information resulted in this observation. Based on the information collected so far 47% (256 ha) of the soybean area planted belongs to individual farmers, 25 % (134.5 ha) planted by associations and 28% (150.5 ha) planted by seed companies and agro-dealers Presently, the project is supporting about 53 individual community-based seed producers; 10 farmers’ associations and cooperatives; and about 5 seed companies on soybean seed production. The project will work with the Seed Inspection Unit to inspect these fields during the second quarter to assure quality. For technology, capacity development and training purposes, demonstration plots have been established close to the seed multiplication fields of partners to enlighten the farmers on suitable varieties and appropriate management options that result in high quality seed yields. Soybean production irrespective of being seed or grain is profitable since prices are attractive. For instance, at planting time, a kilogram of the grain averaged 25 MZN (US$0.41) while that for the seed was 105 MZN (US$1.75) across the production zones. Thus, a push for yield increases and aggressive marketing would provide seed producers a high and attractive return on investment.

Planting of common bean certified seed under rain fed conditions will begin in the second quarter. However, several individual common seed producers in Susundenga, Macate, and Vanduzi in Manica province established off-season seed multiplication fields under irrigation around the end of the last quarter of FY2019 through the first quarter of FY2020. The seed fields were harvested during the quarter under review in November 2019 and a total seed yield of 8.8 tons was reported. In addition, two seed companies Sementes Nzara Yapera and Phoenix Seed Ltd who bought seeds from SEMEAR multiplied bean seed under irrigation which was harvested between October and November 2019. In total, they harvested 70.2 tons of certified seed.

SEMEAR is supporting several associations of community seed producers to produce quality declared seed of groundnuts in various communities. These include: Zidana, Ndundu, Chiphole, Ndadzabwino and Chiritse in Angonia district; Katete, Chiolagaga, Kafuwa, Chincuumba and Kachere in ; Groupo da Antenas in ; Napico, Nicume and Nathelaca in Alto-Molocue district. The associations have planted 21.4 ha of groundnut and Emilia Comercial has planted 1 ha of variety Nametil. More information on area planted to

11 groundnut will be available in the next quarter. Little information is available on pigeon pea seed multiplication by partners at this time. Klein Karoo Seed Ltd purchased 1 ton of basic seed and it is estimated that about 100 ha of certified seed have been planted. More information on the area planted to pigeon pea will be reported in the second quarter.

Planting of cowpea and sesame fields will begin in the second quarter since the optimum planting window is after mid-January. Farmers’ associations and seed companies have already prepared about 52.5 ha of land to produce cowpea seeds and a total of 140 ha to establish sesame certified or QDS fields. More information on cowpea and sesame will be available by the end of the second quarter when fields of the crops are established.

SEMEAR is compiling information on seed production fields of our partners to facilitate the planning and inspection by the Seed Inspection Unit. This is also an effort to create a functional linkage between community-based seed growers and the Inspectors to enable them take up the responsibility of arranging field inspection and certification themselves after SEMEAR ends. In addition, the project is linking and encouraging agro-dealers with the skills and knowledge of seed production as well as the potential and the desire to be trained as private seed inspectors to undergo training. Once certified as seed inspectors, they would be able to inspect and certify seed fields in their zones of operations. This will assist in increasing the number of seed inspectors and sustainably increases the area of seed fields inspected; thus enhance the total volume of certify seed produced in the country as a whole. The agro-dealers are also encouraged to provide services such as extension and spraying services to seed producers in their communities and also serve as sales outlets for community seed produces to enhance sustainability of seed production.

2.1.3. Seed Distribution and Sales In the first quarter of FY2020, SEMEAR sold 19 tons of early generation seeds to partners for planting during the 2019/2020 growing season (Table 2). The quantities of seeds are estimated to plant 704 ha. As in previous years, 70% of the seed sold is soybean confirming that the demand for soybean EGS is far higher than that for the other five crops and further explains the demand trend for crops considered as cash crop in this case soybean and food security crops like cowpea to some extent groundnut. However, the soybean and other basic seed sold is lower than that for last year around the same time because of the decision not to sell seeds on credit this season. Almost half of the seeds sold in previous seasons have not been paid so this measure to minimize the amount of unpaid purchases. Thus, the project still has large quantities of seeds in storage. The seeds were sold to seed companies, community-based seed growers

12 and other seed producers (Table 2). The revenues from seed sales will be reported in the next report when all payments and accounts are reconciled. Some quantities of seeds were used for the establishment of demonstration plots and other awareness creation activities as well as contribution to partnerships activities.

Table 2: Basic seed supplied to partners for certified seed production during the 2019/2020 growing season.

Crop Quantity Expected Partner (tons) coverage (ha) Soybean 13.36 267.2 Phoenix Seeds, Solidaridad, Agri-Con, Technoseerve, Olipa-ODES, Common bean 0.52 8.7 Klein Karoo, Emilia Comercial, Gorongoza Park

Groundnut 0.18 3 Malema growers

Pigeon pea 1.63 163 Klein Karoo, Agri-Con, Gorongoza Park

Cowpea 2.73 109.2 Phoenix Seeds, Emilia Comercial, Agri-Con, Monapo growers, Ruby Mining company, Montepuez Sesame 0.46 153.3 Phoenix Seeds, Olipa-ODES, Klein Karoo, Gorongoza Park Total 18.88 704.4

2.1.4. Seed Enterprise Development SEMEAR is contributing to improve the national seed system by encouraging seed growers to establish small seed business enterprises to multiply certified seeds for sale and distribution to farmers in their communities. The is being done by selling basic seed to them, providing technical advice on good crop production practices and seed production techniques, business planning and marketing. The project is also working with the National Seed Department to conducted training for third-party seed inspectors. The project has identified two seed growers one from Malema and another from Alto Molocué with the capacity and the desire to be trained as seed inspectors. The two young men will be supported to participate in the training for private seed inspectors in March 2020. The project envisages that the training of these two seed growers and others would assist in improving the efficiency of the Seed Inspection Unit to conduct timely inspections and certification of seeds produced in remote communities in these locations. The project is supporting seed growers to establish demonstration plots for marketing seeds to farmers in their communities and to establish functional market linkages with private seed companies as out growers to assist in marketing the seeds they produce. For instance, a seed grower,

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Mariano Mariano from Alto Molocué has been formally linked with Phoenix Seeds to multiply soybean and sesame on a contract. This will allow all the seeds produced by Mariano to be bought by Phoenix Seeds and sold back to the communities branded as Phoenix Seeds.

2.2. Component 2: Promote and scale-up the adoption of best crop management practices in the FtF ZOI using participatory approaches

2.2.1. On-farm demonstrations SEMEAR has focused on establishing joint demonstration plots with seed producers with the direct participation of SDAE this season. This will enable SDAE to provide the necessary support to the seed producers in the near future when SEMEAR ends. The project partnered with farmers associations and individual seed growers, seed companies and agro-dealers across the FtF ZOI to set up demonstration plots to showcase the varieties as well as improved crop management practices. For example joints soybean and groundnut demos have been established with Olima Farma in Malema, demos of all the crops being promoted have been established with Mariano Mariano, a seed producer in Alto Molocue, Musa Ali seed producer in Monapo, Solidaridad, iDE, farmers’ associations such as Associacao Wiwanana Orera, Chigwilizano, Mwai Wathu, Tigwilane Manja, Tilimbique, Makwangwala Katsanha, Fonte Boa etc. The project trained the partners to develop their capacity and skills to set up demo plots to create awareness about the varieties they produce and other production technologies available in the communities to create demand for their seeds. A total of 93 soybean demonstration plots showcasing varieties such as Wamini, Wima, Sana, Zamboane and other varieties have been established on a total of 8.4 ha; 37% hosted by females (Table 3). Thirty-five common bean demos showcasing NUA 45, Sugar 131, CAL 143, A222 and a local variety have been established on 1.4 ha with 71% being hosted by females (Table 3). For groundnut, 90 demonstration plots have been established on 1.8 ha across Nampula, Manica, Tete and Zambezia provinces of which 47% are hosted by females. Eighty pigeon pea demos have been established on 1.6 ha for which only 18% are hosted by females indicating females are not very much interested in the crop since it is not a crop commonly consumed at home. In terms of category of partners hosting the demonstration plots, 13% of the demos are hosted by seed enterprises, 45% are hosted by community-based seed producers 37% are hosted by farmers and 5% are hosted by NGOs by the end of the first quarter (Table 4). Only soybean and common bean demonstration were hosted by seed enterprises by the end of December 2019. Demonstrations hosted by new partners or in new areas constitute 15%, whilst the rest are continuing partners. The project also involved SDAE in establishing the plots and in conducting monitoring visits to provide advisory services. SDAE’s participation range from 30% of the demos for soybean to 70% of the pigeon pea demos (Table 4).

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Demonstration plot on cowpea and sesame will be established during the second quarter; hence planting will start around mid-January 2020 and continue until end of February 2020. More information on additional demonstration will be documented in the next quarter report.

Table 3 Demonstration plots established in the FtF ZOI during the First Quarter of FY2020 Crop* Male Demos Females Demos Total No. Total Area (ha)

Soybean 59 34 93 8.4

Common bean 10 25 35 1.4

Groundnut 48 42 90 1.8

Pigeon pea 66 14 80 1.6

Cowpea - - - -

Sesame - - - -

Total 183 115 298 13.2

*Cowpea and sesame are late planted crops; hence their demonstration plots were not established by the end of the first quarter.

Table 4. Demonstration plots established in the FtF ZOI during the First Quarter of FY2020 segregated by category of partners*

Crop† Seed CBSP Farmers NGOs Total SDAE New Contin Enterprises Invol. uing

Soybean 33 (30) 16 (17) 28 (30) 16(17) 93 (100) 28 (30) 20 (22) 73 (78)

C. Bean 6 (17) 15 (43) 14 (40) - 35 (100) 13 (37) 7 (20) 28 (80)

Groundnut - 47 (52) 43 (48) - 90 (100) 47 (52) 15 (17) 75 (83)

Pigeon pea - 56 (70) 24 (30) - 80 (100) 56 (70) 12 (15) 68 (85)

Cowpea

Sesame

Total 39 (13) 134 (45) 109 (37) 16 (5) 298 (100) 144 (48) 54 (18) 244 (82)

*CBSP = Community-based seed producers, SDE Eng. = SDAE Involvement; Numbers in brackets are the percentages of the demos in that category; New means new partners or area. †Cowpea and sesame are late planted crops

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2.2.2. Training and scaling up adoption During the first quarter of FY 2020, seed production training sessions were conducted for farmers, technicians, seed companies and research partners. The sessions were conducted in partnerships with FAO, CLUSA, TechnoServe, Solidaridad, SBS/COPAZA, Dreamers Group and SDAE. All the six crops were covered under several topics that included agronomic practices for seed production, calculation of production cost, good legume management practices in the field, variety selection, input use and various themes on establishing demonstration plots. The training was conducted in Manica, Tete and Zambezia during the first quarter. In total 216 individuals (158 males and 58 females) were trained (Table 5).

Table 5 Training sessions conducted during the First Quarter of FY2020 Province Male Females Total No. Manica 29 24 53 Nampula - - - Tete 33 3 36 Zambezia 96 31 127 Total 158 58 216

2.2.3. Field days, exchange visits, and meetings Field day activities will start in the second quarter. However, in the first quarter of FY 2020, SEMEAR participated in official opening of the 2019/2020 agricultural season in October 2019 at Incise in Gurue district (Figure 3) and at Capiriuta in Angonia district. The SEMEAR team displayed seeds of improved varieties being promoted and provided information on varieties, inputs and other technologies. Key stakeholders included SDAE, private sector companies, agro-dealers, farmers associations and individual farmers. The event was useful to connect the private sector companies, agro- dealers and farmers through exhibitions and create awareness about improved varieties and other production technologies, which are available to the communities in the 2019/20 season.

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Figure 3. SEMEAR Stand at the Launch of the 2019/2020 Agricultural Season at Incise, Gurue district

2.2.4. Gender Issues in SEMEAR Implementation SEMEAR continues to make efforts to increase female participation in project activities by targeting women to host demo plots, for seed multiplication and for specific training sessions. SEMEAR is working with two women associations in Gurue district this season who have established 16 ha soybean certified seed fields (Associação de Namurrequele, 11 ha of Wamini and Associação de Namarripe, 5 ha of TGx 1835-10E). The groups plan to sell the seeds to the members and other farmers in the community for planting next season. The groups received information on better soybean seed production and marketing to take advantage of the existing local market. Best field management practices, calculation of cost and pricing were some of the topics covered. SEMEAR will continue to offer technical backstopping to the groups until the end of the season. Some of the individual members of the groups who are producing grain have also contacted NOSARA women group at Ruace in Gurue district to purchase their soybean for value addition processing and utilization at community level. NOSARA women group’s core activities include soybean production, purchasing and processing into enriched flour, bread and milk. SEMEAR is also providing technical assistance to the members of NOSARA women group on profitable production of soybean seeds and grains. The group has also promised to be supplying SEMEAR with processed products during our events at a cost. Their products are also sold at local markets and at trade fairs outside Gurue.

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The project introduced Hand Push Legume planter that is ideal for women to reduce time spent on planting, drudgery and labor cost. The planter is light weight, about 5 kg (Figure 4), low cost (USD 80), doesn’t require fuel, easy to operate by women and cab be carried from one location to another. Through calibration, the planter can be adapted to sow all legumes that SEMEAR is promoting, whether inoculated or non-inoculated. The equipment has the capability of opening holes, dropping seeds and also covering them while being operated by one person.

Figure 4 Photo of Hand Push Legume Planter

2.2.5. Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) Compliance The project did not used pesticides during the first quarter since there were no crops in the fields and all seed treatments were completed in the last quarter of FY2019. Land preparation and planting conducted during the quarter were done along the contour to control erosion; hence minimize sediment movement downhill to water bodies. Pesticide products procured for FY2020 activities are registered and approved by USEPA as detailed in the 2017 USAID Mozambique PERSUAP and will be used as recommended by the manufacturers.

3. Communications and farmers’ outreach It took some time to fill the communication officer position following the exit of the previous occupant; hence, the first quarter activities focused on reactivation of the unit; to integrate and induct the new communication officer. However, the activities conducted during the period include the following.

Visibility /Events/documents  Agricultural exhibition – production of banners for agricultural exhibitions in the four Provinces (Figure 5);  Printing and dissemination of the Seed Manual (Figure 6) – 100 units of the manual were printed and distributed to stakeholders in the 4 FtF Provinces to project staff from IIAM, ICRISAT, IITA and CIAT, DPASA and SDAEs, DINAS and Seed Inspectors, other copies were

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sent to MASA (Extension Department and International Cooperation) and to seed producers. Additional 1500 units will be printed for a wider distribution during FY2020.

Figure 5: printed banner on a seed fair in Gurué Figure 6: sample Seed Manual

 Production of Season’s Greetings Cards in E-card format, was shared by e-mail to project stakeholders through the communication unit’s network to more than 150 recipients;  Press Clipping – an article about SEMEAR activities (Figure 7) was published in the Economic Magazine EXAME, The magazine has an external audience of between 36.000 and 48.000 readers, the main target audience is the private sector and the general public.

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Figure 7: SEMEAR in EXAME Magazine Figure 8: sample Agriculture Calendar

 Agricultural Calendar and suitable crops for specific agro-ecological zones promoted by SEMEAR (Figure 8) was produced and shared digitally. Printed edition to be available during the second quarter FY20  SEMEAR document collection – During the life of the project, diverse and useful information was produced to guide and inform project stakeholders on crop varieties, best crop management practices, markets and other related and important issues for increased awareness an increased productivity. The information was produced and shared through videos, leaflets, manuals, radio programs in both Portuguese and local languages. Meetings were held during the first quarter of FY2020 with focus on engaging and linking project partners with IIAM at central and provincial levels in order to improve collaboration and join synergies. Meetings with APROSE and Escola do Agricultor were held in order to explore possibilities to share SEMEAR documental collection on their platforms. APROSE will upload relevant SEMEAR documents and information on their website www.aprose.org during the next quarter. Follow up meetings with Escola do Agricultor, an agricultural training initiative, promoted by the private sector with institutional support from USAID, Feed the Future, Fintrac, IIAM, and iDE Moçambique are planned for the second quarter of FY2020 where SEMEAR will explore synergies to improve on their training contents and include relevant information on their 3rd Edition of Escola do Agricultor Newspaper.

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 Web-site - Domain recovered and linked with the Server – the website is online www.semearmoz.com - Information on EGS prices for FY2020 has been updated;  Field Visits Project Communication Officer visited project field activities in Nampula, Tete and Manica Provinces (Figure 9) in November 2019, the aim of the visits were to: - Engage technicians to explore communication potential for the development of success stories of different project stakeholders and beneficiaries; identify material needs and explore existing communication channels to disseminate “best practices” during the agricultural season; - Participate in agricultural fairs, promoting SEMEAR products and services to farmers and stakeholders;  Radio programs & agricultural fairs - In November, the common bean team produced a radio program, which was aired for one month from mid-November to mid-December 2019 on Angónia Community Radio, the program was aired in both Portuguese and Chitchewa. The audio clip and the soft copy of the document are available on the SEMEAR website and ready to share with stakeholders.

Figure 9 – Pictures of MANICA, Nampula and Tete field visits by SEMEAR Communication Officer

4. Project Performance Indicators Strategic partnerships with agro-based development organizations, farmers and the private sector are the main approach pursued by SEMEAR for sustainable delivery of the outputs and outcomes. In the first quarter of FY2020, 23 partnerships were established with farmer organizations, seed producers and other non-governmental organizations (Table 6). The main objectives of these partnerships are to improve their capacities to facilitate the production of the targeted volumes of seeds and enhance adoption of improved seeds and crop production technologies. The capacities of members of these organizations will be

21 enhanced through refresher training activities and in-kind support to deliver on the goals of the partnerships.

Table 6: Capacity development in the First Quarter of FY2020

Indicator Disaggregation Target Results Annual Target Partnerships (N) Production 25 23 25 Type

Beneficiary organizations For-profit 10 10 26 (N) Producer 15 13 81

Total 25 23 107 Farmers 200 216 3,492 Individuals trained (N) Extension 4 0 108

Total 204 216 3,600 Farmers 34,397 33,852 72,750 Individual beneficiaries (N) People in government 103 0 2,250

Total 34,500 33,852 75,000

During the reporting period, 216 farmers were trained in the principles of seed and grain production. The seed producers were further supported to access basic seeds for the production of certified or QDS. The grain producers are also expected to apply the knowledge gained on their field to increase their yields and volumes of production. Overall, the project benefitted 33,852 individuals in the first quarter of FY2020. These include farmers who accessed improved seeds of the varieties promoted by SEMEAR and participated in field demonstrations.

Further analysis of the data shows that female farmers constituted about 40% of the beneficiary farmers. Similarly, about 40% of the farmers who applied improved technologies, and the area planted to these technologies were females. The results indicate that SEMEAR’s effort to ensure effective participation of female farmers in the project activities is yielding the expected outcome. By virtue of their roles in the households, female farmers are more likely to transfer the knowledge gained to other members of their families. Moreover, they are better placed to transmit the income and food gains from their farms to the benefit of their household.

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Figure 10: Gender disaggregation of selected indicators (Left); Age disaggregation of selected indicators (Right)

The youth (15 to 29 years) constituted almost 45% of SEMEAR beneficiaries (Figure 10). A similar proportion of those who applied improved technologies and area under improved technologies are youth. This strategy of youth engagement has short and long term benefits to the agricultural systems. In the short term, the project is contributing to the creation of alternative livelihoods (via seed production, input supply and etc.) for the youth in the rural communities. In the long term, the project is building the needed capacity among the youth who will subsequently replace the old farmers.

In terms of technology application, 30,655 farmers applied improved technologies on 62,477 ha of land (Table 7). Improved varieties were planted on 23,418 ha, whereas 39,059 ha involved improved cultural practices. A sustained application of improved technologies would improve productivity and subsequently, increase income of smallholder farmers.

Table 7: Technology application in the First Quarter of FY2020

Indicator Disaggregation Target Results Annual Target 9,000 11,491 25,000 Crop genetics Number of 21,000 19,164 59,500 Cultural practices farmers (N) 30,000 30,655 85,000 Total 28,571 23,418.65 50,000 Crop genetics 31,429 39,058.84 60,000 Area (ha) Cultural practices 60,000 62,477.50 110,000 Total

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5. Major Implementation Issues

 Delay in receiving project funds until three months prior to the end of the project is a major bottleneck to the smooth implementation of the project activities.  Excessive rainfall occurring within short periods causing flooding in some places and continuous rains delay planting, weeding and other field activities.  Low volume of basic seed orders from seed producers; hence SEMEAR has substantial quantities of basic seeds in storage

6. Collaboration with other donor projects

SEMEAR continues to collaborate with other donor-funded projects reported previously, in FY2020 the collaboration with APROSE has been improved with the agreement to share SEMEAR documents and information on their website. A new collaboration with Casa do Agricultor has been established will be discussed in detail in the second quarter of FY2020.

7. Key Activities Planned for Next Quarter

 Continue to establish at least 300 demonstration plots with partners  Complete planting early generations seeds especially the late planted crops  Continue with seed sales  Monitoring and support certified seed producers  Conduct day-today maintenance of seed fields and demonstrations plots  Link seed producers to the Seed Inspection Units for inspection and certification of seeds  Conduct stakeholder training sessions  Organize and conduct field days  Launch/disseminate SEMEAR awareness videos  Monitor content migration onto APROSE website  Print Agriculture calendar and distribute to stakeholders  Update SEMEAR website with articles on activities and events  Participate in the AgriLink Photo contest  Prepare for end-line study  Collect data from partners and project beneficiaries  Develop and publish two success stories

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8. Evaluation / Assessment Update Evaluations, Assessments, Studies and Audits Include any and all types of evaluations, financial or programmatic, internal or external. Completed: List evaluations, assessments, studies and/or audits held Major Findings/Recommendations last year No on-going studies Planned: List evaluations, assessments, studies, and/or audits planned for next two quarters. 1. End-line study to assess adoption and impact of SEMEAR 2.

9. Administrative Update No administrative issues to be updated

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10. Financial Information During the first quarter of FY2020, SEMEAR spent an estimated US$438,411 on cost items indicated in Table 8. The information provided below comes from records of local expenditures in Nampula. The official financial report will be submitted by IITA Headquarters. Cost share contribution is not applicable to SEMEAR.

Table 8 – Estimated SEMEAR expenditures from 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019.

Order Cost Item Description US$

1 Office cost, supplies Include: security, rents, suppliers (electricity, 12,458 water) stationary, and others

2 Field activities Include: land preparations, chemicals, materials, 29,131 and suppliers field day supplies, etc.)

3 Travels Include: allowances (Per diem and 30,687 accommodation) and tickets

4 Training and Include: farmer training, field days, project 6,702 workshops planning and review meetings, etc.

5 Personnel Staff salaries, casual staff wages, taxes, and 139,050 allowances

6 Consultancy Include: hiring of enumerators and other 20,585 Services consultants

7 Other direct costs Including communications and minor purchases 131,011

Sub-Total 369,624

Overhead (18.61%) 68,787

Grand Total 438,411

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