Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel - Enhanced Resilience REPUBLIC OF NIGER and BURKINA FASO
REGIS-ER
Quarterly Report
OCTOBER 1, 2016 TO DECEMBER 31, 2016
February 6, 2017
Cooperative Agreement No. 625-A-14-00001
Blvd. Mali Béro, Rue IB-73 B.P. 12,909, NIAMEY Tel.: (227) 20.35.16.48
Table of Contents
I. Quarterly Highlights ...... 6 II. Programs ...... 8 Program 1 – Habbanayé plus Animal Health and Feed ...... 8 Program 2 - Horticulture ...... 11 Program 3 – Access to Financial Services ...... 15 Program 4 - Resilient Production Systems ...... 18 Program 5 – Disaster Risk Management and Local Institutions ...... 25 Program 6 – Water Services ...... 28 Program 7 – Hygiene and Sanitation ...... 32 Program 8 – Community-based Health and Nutrition ...... 34 III. Cross-cutting Activities...... 39 Monitoring and Evaluation ...... 39 Gender ...... 41 Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) ...... 42 Communications ...... 43 Grants Management ...... 45 Cost Share ...... 45 Program Support ...... 46 IV. Appendices ...... 48 Results Framework ...... 48 REGIS-ER intervention zones ...... 57
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Acronyms and abbreviations1 English French Meaning A2N A2N Association Nodde Nooto (NGO “ready to serve” for conflict management) AG AG Assemblée Générale (General Assembly) AGR AGR Activités génératrices de revenus (Income-generating activities) AR AR Artisans Réparateurs (Repair Artisans) ARC ARC Agent Relais Communautaire (Community Relay Agent) assisting with community savings and loan program AREN AREN Association pour la Redynamisation de l'Elevage au Niger ASBC ASBC Agents de Santé à Base Communautaire [au Burkina Faso] (Community-Based Health Agents) ATP ATP Agent de Terrain Polyvalent (Multidisciplinary Field Agent) AUE AUE Association des usagers d’eau (water users’ association) AV AE Auxiliary veterinarian (Auxiliaire d’élevage) BAGRI BAGRI Banque Agricole du Niger (Agriculture Bank of Niger) BDL BDL Bio-Reclamation of Degraded Lands (Récupération biologique des terres dégradées) AZND AZND Association ZOOD-NOOMA pour le Développement ASBC ASBC Agents de santé à base communautaire (Community-Based Health Agents in BF) BAGRI BAGRI Banque Agricole du Niger (Agriculture Bank of Niger) BDL BDL Bio-Reclamation of Degraded Lands (Récupération biologique des terres dégradées) BMND BMND Blocs Multi-Nutritionnels Densifiés (Densified Multi-Nutritional Blocks) CADEL CADEL Comité d'Appui au Développement Local CBO OCB Community-based Organization (Organisation Communautaire de Base) CBSP APS Community-based Solution Provider (Agent Prestataire de Services) CCA ACC Climate Change Adaptation (Adaptation au Changement Climatique) CDA CDA Departmental agriculture head (Chef départemental d’agriculture) CESAO CESAO Centres d’Etudes Economiques et Sociales pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest CES/DRS CES/DRS Conservation des eaux et des sols/défense et restauration des sols (soil and water conservation works) CF CF Conservation farming (Agriculture de conservation) CGPE CGPE Comité de Gestion de Point d’Eau (Water point management committee) CILSS CILSS Comité permanent Inter-états de Lutte contre la Sécheresse au Sahel (Permanent Interstate Committee for drought control in the Sahel) CLA CLA Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting CLD CLD Comités Locaux de Développement (Local Development Committees) CLTS ATPC Community-Led Total Sanitation (Assainissement total piloté par la communauté) COFOB COFOB Commission Foncière de Base (Village land management commissions) COFOCOM COFOCOM Commission Foncière de la Commune (Commune land management commissions) CONASUR CONASUR Conseil National de Secours d’Urgence et de Réhabilitation (National Council for Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation) CPAVI CPAVI Centre de promotion de l’aviculture villageoise, a GoBF structure C-QI C-QI Community Quality Improvement / Amélioration de la Qualité CRBF CRBF Croix Rouge du Burkina Faso / Red Cross of Burkina Faso CSI CSI Centre de Santé Intégré (Integrated Health Center), a health facility in Niger CSPS CSPS Centre de Santé et de Promotion Sociale (Health and Social Promotion Center) CVD CVD Conseils Villageois de Développement (Village Development Council) CWG GTC Citizen Working Groups (Groupes de Travail Citoyen) DAO DAO Dossier appel d’offres (Bid solicitation process) DFAPs DFAPs Development Food Assistance Programs DMI DMI Development Media International (an international NGO)
1 The report mixes English- and French-language acronyms and abbreviations. (“CF/RNA” actually mixes English and French in the same acronym.) These acronyms and abbreviations simply reflect the terms used by project staff and in project reports; there is no system per se.
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English French Meaning DNPGCCA DNPGCCA Dispositif National pour la Prévention et Gestion des Catastrophes et Crises Alimentaires (National Agency for the Prevention and Management of Disasters and Food Crises) DRM GRC Disaster Risk Management (Gestion des Risques des Catastrophes) DQA DQA Data Quality Assessment (Evaluation de la qualité des données) DREA DREA Direction Régionale de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement (Regional Directorate for Water and Sanitation) EAA EAA Eau et Assainissement pour l’Afrique (Water and Sanitation for Africa) EAQ EAQ Equipe d’Amélioration de la Qualité (Quality Improvement Team) EdM EdM École des maris (Husband Schools) EWS SAP Système d’Alerte Précoce (Early Warning System) FAO FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FASO FASO Families Achieving Sustainable Outcomes FCFN FCFN Haymaking and Conservation of Natural Fodder FCPB FCPB Faitière des Caisses Populaires du Burkina (liée au Réseau des Caisses Populaires du Burkina) FFP FFP Food For Peace (USAID-funded food assistance program) FMNR RNA Régénération Naturelle Assistée (Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration) FP PF Family Planning (Planification familiale) FY FY Fiscal Year (Année Fiscale) FVV FVV Femme vaccinatrice de volaille (woman vaccinator who also makes chicken feed) (qui fabrique la provende) GASA GASA Groupes d’Apprentissage et de Soutien aux Adolescentes (Learning and Support Groups for [Female] Adolescents) GENOVICO GENOVICO Gestion Non-Violente des Conflits (Non-Violent Conflict Resolution) GoBF GoBF Government of Burkina Faso (Gouvernement du Burkina Faso) GoN GoN Government of Niger (Gouvernement du Niger) GRAINE Sarl GRAINE Sarl Groupe d’Accompagnement à l’Investissement et à l’Epargne, société à responsabilité limitée HH Ménage Household (Ménage) HCI3N HCI3N Haut-Commissariat à l’initiative 3N [Nigériens Nourrissent les Nigériens] (High Commission of the 3Ns Init.) iDE iDE An international non-profit organization ICRISAT ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics ICT TIC Information and Communications Technology (Technologies d’Information et des Communications) IGESPLAM IGESPLAM Initiation à la Gestion et à la Planification Maraichère (Initiation to Market Garden Management & Planning) INRAN INRAN Institut National de la Recherche Agricole au Niger IP PI Prestataire indépendant (Independent service provider) IR IR Intermediate Result, as used in USAID’s causal model - results framework for its projects (Résultat Intermédiaire, dans le cadre de résultats des projets) MAG MAG Ministère de l’Agriculture MARP MARP Network for the Promotion of the Participatory Approach (Réseau de Promotion des Approches Participatives) MAST MAST Mobile Application to Secure Tenure (Application Mobile à la Sécurisation des Terres) MECAT MECAT Une institution de mirco-finance au Niger (a Micro-Finance Institution in Niger) MFI IMF Micro-finance Institution (Institution de microfinance) MHE MHE Ministère d’Hydrologique et de l’Environnement MSI MSI Management Systems International OR Marie Stopes International (see context) MtM MtM Mother to Mother (Mère à mère) NCBA CLUSA NCBA CLUSA National Cooperative Business Association/ Cooperative League of USA NGO ONG Non-governmental organization (Organisation non-gouvernementale) NRM GRN Natural Resource Management (Gestion des Ressources Naturelles) NPM NPM National project manager OCHA OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ONF-BF ONF-BF Observatoire National du Foncier au Burkina Faso OSV OSV Observatoires de Suivi de la Vulnérabilité / Observatories for monitoring vulnerability PAF PAF Petites Actions Faisables (Small Doable Actions) PCOAS PCOAS Commune Land use plan (Plan Communal d’occupation et d’affectation des sols) PDCO PDCO Patate douce à chair orange (Orange-fleshed sweet potato)
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English French Meaning PEM PEM Point d’eau moderne (modern water point) PI PI Prestataires individuels (Individual Service Providers) PICS PICS Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage bags PIRS PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (Fiches de Référence sur la Performance des Indicateurs) PM PM Program Manager PMN PMN Program Manager National (National Program Manager) PMR PMR Program Manager Régional (Regional Program Manager) PMH PMH Pompe à motricité humaine (Human-powered pump) PMP PMP Performance Monitoring Plan (Plan-tableau pour suivre la performance) PO OP Producer Organization (Organisation des producteurs) PR PR Petits ruminants (small ruminants) PRAPS PRAPS Projet Régional d’Appui au Pastoralisme au Sahel (Project for Support to Pastoralism in the Sahel) PRL PRL Personnes Ressources Locales (Local Resource People) PTA PTA Annual Workplan (Plan de travail annuel) QI EAQ Quality Improvement team - health (Equipe d’amélioration de la qualité - santé) RA RA Relais Agricoles (Agriculture Relays) RC RC Relais Communautaires [au Niger] (Community-Based Relays) RCPB RCPB Réseau des Caisses Populaires du Burkina (liée à la Faitière des Caisses Populaires du Burkina) REGIS-AG REGIS-AG Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth REGIS-ER REGIS-ER Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Enhanced Resilience RISE RISE Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced RSAP RSAP Réseaux de Santé Animale de Proximité (Local Networks for Animal Health) SAREL SAREL Sahel Resilience Learning (Apprentissage sur la Résilience dans le Sahel) SBCC CCSC Social and behavior change communication (Communication pour le changement social et de comportement) SCAP-RU SCAP-RU Community early warning and emergency response system (Système Communautaire d’Alerte Précoce et de Réponses aux Urgences) SECCA SECCA Stratégie Epargne Crédit Communautaire Auto-géré (Self-managed Community Savings and Loan Strategy) SICR KOKARI SICR KOKARI Service d’Intermédiation en Crédit Rural (Local Rural Credit Service) SLC, H/SLC BEE, R/BEE (Head of) Sustainable Livelihoods component (Responsable/composante Bien-Être Économique), REGIS-ER SongES Niger SongES Niger A Nigérien NGO SRPP SRPP Shock Responsive RISE Portfolio SP/CPSA SP/CPSA Secrétariat Permanent de la Coordination des Politiques Sectorielles Agricoles SPRING SPRING Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (The SPRING Project includes Digital Green, a sub.) STD STD Service Technique Déconcentré SUR1M SUR1M “Scaling Up Resilience for 1 Million in the Niger River Basin of Niger and Mali”, a project which is implemented by CRS and funded by DFID under the BRACED Program SVPP SVPP Service vétérinaire privé de proximité (Local private veterinarian service provider) TOR TDR Terms of Reference (Termes de Référence) TOT TOT Training of Trainers (Formation des formateurs) URC URC University Research Co., LLC USG USG United States Government (Gouvernement des États Unis) VA AE Veterinarian Auxiliary (Auxiliaire en Elevage) ViM ViM Victory over Malnutrition VSF VSF Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (Veterinarians Without Borders) VVV VVV Vulgarisateur volontaire villageois (Volunteer village veterinarian trainer) WASH EHA Water Sanitation and Hygiene (Eau, Hygiène, Assainissement) WFP PAM World Food Programme (Programme Alimentaire Mondial) WHO OMS World Health Organization (Organisation Mondiale de la Santé) ZAT ZAT Zone d’Appui Technique (Technical Support Zone) ZOI ZOI Zone of intervention (zone d’intervention)
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I. Quarterly Highlights The project initiated the new program (vs. component) structure during the first quarter of FY17, per the FY17 workplan. The 2016 harvest occurred in the early portion of the reporting period and post-rainy season activities began immediately afterwards. Unfortunately, the 2016 harvest was problematic in some parts of the REGIS-ER intervention zone, primarily due to the irregular distribution of rainfall (i.e., prolonged interruptions of rainfall). Although the final assessment of the 2016 agricultural season is still underway, it is apparent that there will be food deficits in some areas. During the rainy season and the ensuing harvest, the availability of project beneficiaries is limited. However, the post-harvest period sees the beginning or resumption of numerous activities, such as the first gardening season, well/borehole construction/rehabilitation, the latrine construction, habbanayé, etc.
Program Highlights P1 – Habbanayé plus Animal Feed and Health • Strong synergy is evident among the RISE partners in Burkina Faso (REGIS-ER, AG, ViM and FASO) in support of three Local Networks for Animal Health (RSAPs), resulting in the acquisition of veterinary kits and increased support for the vaccination campaign. • Significant progress has been made on the implementation of the FY17 habbanayé operation. Small ruminants are currently being delivered in Niger and small ruminant and poultry sites have been identified in 50-60% of the project ZOI in Burkina Faso. • Sales were strong for the VAs/VVVs/FVVs (approximately 130,000 CFA) [$217] in revenues per CBSP for the quarter) and a high level of networking took place between the CBSPs (example of 4 distributors trained by the FVV from Zinder).
P2 – Horticulture • A partnership with the local NGO CADEL led to the installation of 1,910 home gardens in the four regions of Niger. • Eight new Oasis garden sites were set up in Tillabéri South (Balléyara) and investment proposals were created for new sites in various zones. • CBSPs posted strong results in garden production and arboriculture. Nursery managers averaged over 200,000 CFA (around $333) this quarter, more than half of which came from outside REGIS-ER. • Garden Input CBSPs (including a new CBSP heading the CBSP network in Tillabéri South) formed a partnership with 12 PDCO cuttings producers to provide seed access to MtM Groups (MtMs) and other commercial producers. • The project partnered with FASO and ViM to train new fruit and forest tree nursery managers and the first managers were selected.
P3 – Access to Financial Services • Collaboration with REGIS-AG proved effective in multiple areas in both countries, including warrantage and cowpea conservation. • The Banque Agricole du Niger (BAGRI) has agreed to participate in the financing of warrantage activities in Tillabéri North.
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P4 – Resilient Production Systems • According to the CF-FMNR yield assessments conducted by the government technical services (STD), yields from CF increased substantially (sorghum from 46% to 161%; millet from 25% to 109%; cowpea from 16% to 148%) compared to non-CF yields. • Household production increased to an estimated 4,522 tons (Maradi, Balléyara, Kaya, Dori and the local NGO zone in Burkina Faso) due to CF practices. As a result, household food security also increased 27%. • CF groups deposited more than 18,470,000 CFA [$30,783] at microfinance institutions. • Trainings were held on the use of storage bags (PICSs) for cowpea conservation in collaboration with REGIS-AG (885 producers received training in BF). • Recycling and composting trainings (2,314 producers) took place as part of the 2016–2017 composting operation. • A total of 204 ha of degraded lands on community pasture sites were recuperated and/or undergoing reclamation. • Actions were taken to complement the work being conducted on the WFP/REGIS-ER joint activity in Sabon Machi Commune of Maradi Region to reinforce resiliency efforts, including: i) providing each woman with goats (3 per person); ii) bio-reclamation of degraded lands (planting of one hectare by women's groups using the zaï planting technique); and iii) promoting manual and animal traction/ripping conservation farming.
P5 – Disaster Risk Management and Local Institutions • The process of drafting and approving 2 local conventions in Burkina made considerable progress. • 4 community early warning and rapid response systems (SCAP-RU) were reactivated in the commune of Imanan (Tillabéri South). • Launched the partnership with Burkina Faso’s National Observatory for Land Tenure (ONF-BF).
P6 – Water Services • Agreements were developed with the Regional Directorate for Water and Sanitation (DREA) to ensure monitoring and follow-up for the restoration/construction of boreholes. • Partial restoration work began on 47 boreholes. • Contracts were signed for the construction of 31 new water boreholes.
P7 – Hygiene and Sanitation • CLTS was launched in a total of 19 villages, 13 in Zinder and six in Balléyara. • 135 latrines were built (52 in Maradi, 5 in Tillabéri and 78 in Balléyara). • 15 local elected officials in Balléyara and 63 members of the village hygiene committee in Maradi received CLTS training. P8 – Community-based Health and Nutrition • Community meals were organized in 3 villages of Balléyara without the contribution of the project. The project foresees a gradual withdrawal of its support for the community meals from 5000 CFA (about $8) in FY15 and FY16 to 2500 CFA (about $4) in FY17 and 0 CFA in FY18, guaranteeing the sustainability of the activity. • Marketing initiative for fortified porridge and flour made by a PRL and member of the MtM group in the village of Angoual Manda in the commune of Bandé (Zinder Region, Niger).
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II. Programs
Program 1 – Habbanayé plus Animal Health and Feed CBSP Promotions VVV Results in Burkina Faso In Burkina Faso, ten VAs (former VVVs converted into VAs following a training in 2016 given by REGIS-AG veterinarians) from the RSAP provided animal health services during this quarter, including vaccinations against Newcastle disease and the disinfestation of poultry houses. The monthly follow-ups and quarterly summary of the services provided, based on data collected from the VVVs, allowed us to provide them with support and guidance. The services provided by the VAs in the three regions brought in a total of 1,452,075 CFA ($2,420) for the treatment of 22,863 chickens and the disinfestation of 31 poultry houses belonging to 758 poultry farmers.
There is a clear upward trend in revenues earned by the VVVs in this quarter compared to previous quarters (see figure below). This can be explained by the harmattan season in which diseases are at their peak, requiring prevention (vaccination) and treatment.
Revenues from Services Provided by Ten VVVs in the Past Three Quarters (in CFA) 1,600,000 1,200,000 800,000 400,000 - 3rd quarter FY16 4th quarter FY16 1st quarter FY17 Revenues from services 871,795 699,110 1,452,075
Results from Other CBSPs in Niger The follow-up of 13 livestock rearing CBSPs in Niger in Tillabéri North, Tillabéri South and Maradi (primarily VAs) shows quarterly revenues of 1,567,175 CFA ($2,612).
Building PRL/CBSP Technical Capacities The scale-up resulted in increased involvement among PRLs in the project implementation phase, which has two objectives: i) to develop local economic opportunities and ii) to provide technical support by local individuals during implementation to promote sustainability. PRL/CBSP training is therefore critical. During the quarter trainings were held on the following subjects: • goat rearing techniques for five PRLs in the Kaya zone, who will then train their peers (habbanayé beneficiaries); • skill building for 12 PRLs in Maradi on salt lick production, urea treatment of straw and poultry feed production using local ingredients. These PRLs later trained 159 beneficiaries in the region. • entrepreneurship for six CBSPs in the Maradi region. To increase the success rates of the trainings given by the PRLs to the breeders, the REGIS-ER team in Burkina Faso found it was necessary to develop specific training modules that the PRLs could deliver
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 8 themselves. The P1 Program Managers therefore met for a workshop to develop four training modules on technical themes (rearing of local goats and chickens, animal fattening and fodder cropping/FCFN).
Livestock Asset Building Placement and Transfer of Small Ruminant Assets to New Beneficiaries As part of the FY16 operations: A total of 2,646 animal placements were made during this quarter in Niger's four regions as part of the second habbanayé operation in FY16 (2,000 goats in Maradi for 548 beneficiaries, 215 heads for each of the three other regions with 65 beneficiaries per region). The distribution in Maradi, focused on extremely poor women as part of the partnership with the WFP, received a large amount of media attention. Participants included the WFP, government technical services, and administrative and traditional authorities, who all applauded this commendable project initiative. Along with their goats, project beneficiaries received wheat bran to feed the animals. With respect to transfers: During this quarter, the progressive “passing on” of livestock assets from beneficiaries of past operations to new beneficiaries continued. Under the FY17 habbanayé operation: • Goat purchases are underway for the four regions in Niger. However, poultry habbanayé operations have not yet begun (they are on hold pending the results of a staff meeting on the subject that was held at the end of November).
In Burkina Faso, 50% to 60% of the villages and beneficiaries have been identified for both the poultry and small ruminant habbanayé operations.
Transferring Poultry Assets to New Beneficiaries The transfer of poultry from FY15 beneficiaries to new beneficiaries took place in the regions of Fada and Dori in Burkina Faso. Overall, the poultry counts increased significantly due to a high number of births (3,502) during the quarter.
Habbanayé Analysis Given the many challenges and the complexity of coordinating habbanayé operations, REGIS-ER organized a workshop for Niger (bringing together approximately 10 people, including P1 Program Managers from Niger, several SVPPs and technical services representatives from Maradi) to share and reflect on the operational implementation of habbanayé under the FY17 Workplan. The workshop recommended i) changing the distribution of goats so that each beneficiary receives three females and one male; and ii) replacing the poultry option with goats, in accordance with the beneficiaries’ preference. • In addition, after two and a half years of habbanayé operations, REGIS-ER plans to review the initiative. The project is currently in consultations to evaluate habbanayé operations. The evaluation will assess breeding success rates/zootechnical performance, the rationale behind poultry habbanayé for vulnerable people, the effectiveness and efficiency of the acquisition process and the ways in which animal numbers are monitored. The overall objective is to propose ways in which habbanayé operations may be locally maintained by the communities and communes/commune-level structures. • In Maradi, no credit was granted due to the debt collection procedures currently underway.
In Burkina Faso, the project has only received partial information as of this writing. The communes of Manni and Gayéri have produced the following results:
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• A total of 311 small ruminants, including 197 sheep and 114 goats were selected (retained) by their breeders to be fattened by 161 members of 15 animal fattening groups, including three groups of men and 12 groups of women. • Six small ruminants were sold for a total of 241,000 CFA ($402) in Manni. • An animal fattening group from the village of Lahama in the commune of Manni received 1,100,000 CFA ($1,833) in animal fattening loans for the benefit of 11 members in the group.
Fodder Cropping The habbanayé and animal fattening participants received training on fodder cropping, haymaking and the conservation of natural fodder. Fodder crops and natural fodder are still under evaluation in these regions. The results of a partial evaluation of the food stocks for animal fattening participants and beneficiaries of the goat habbanayé in the regions of Fada and Dori are nevertheless available in the table below:
Cowpea Natural fodder Cowpea Peanut greens Acacia pods Region Stalks (kg) (kg) (kg) greens (kg) (kg) (kg) Dori 0 43,891 43,170 9,556 101,685 1,020 Fada 11,216 12,625 -- 31,960 Total 11,216 56,516 43,170 41,516 101,685 1,020
The estimated total food stock (fodder and pods) is 255,123 kg which is enough to feed 3,543 goats2 or sheep for three months in these two regions. This also helps mitigate the detrimental impact of goats on plant resources.
Opinion of fodder producers and breeders in the Dori region “These stocks are enough to feed the animals for a three-month fattening period and six months for habbanayé beneficiaries.”
Animal Health In Niger, discussions about the vaccination campaign are underway with the SVPPs. The SVPPs and the GoN technical services completed compliance and follow-up inspections during the recent deliveries of habbanayé animals.
In Burkina Faso, an agreement between the RISE partners, with REGIS-AG as the lead, resulted in the development of a veterinary kit for RSAPs, the proposal of a partnership agreement and support for the vaccination campaign. In addition, the vaccination campaign for poultry, small ruminants and large ruminants launched by RSAP-Est (SIRBA clinic) received support from REGIS-ER in the East Region with the airing of call-in radio shows (the Diawampo de Bogandé rural radio stations) to raise awareness among breeders that they must register to participate in the vaccination campaign.
Marketing In Burkina Faso, four breeders/VVVs participated in the independence fair for aviculturists in Kaya from December 4 to 11, 2016. They sold 254 chickens with total earnings of 474,600 CFA ($791) in revenues.
2 0.8 kg/animal/day: small ruminant consumption
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Difficulties The main difficulties this quarter included the following: • Monitoring of animal counts within households must be improved to obtain reliable and up-to- date data. • Placements of FY16 goats and poultry in Burkina Faso were delayed. • In the Kaya region, fodder cropping could not be practiced due to fodder seed supply problems (KVX cowpea). • The first FY16 habbanayé operation in Tillabéri South and the second wave saw a high number of losses following an epidemic (pasteurellosis was suspected), which began in the zone where animals from the North had been received as transfers (according to the information that was collected).
Program 2 - Horticulture Promoting Home Gardens The project began setting up home gardens in Niger in FY16 with the NGO CADEL as part of a contract that will end in late February 2017. In FY17, the project will identify beneficiaries and PRLs while awaiting the finalization of this year’s home garden strategy (drafted in December). In total, 208 potential villages, 2,532 beneficiaries (out of an anticipated 3,500) and 24 PRLs were identified.
In Burkina Faso, field agents and garden relays who surveyed beneficiaries (2,000 beneficiaries were identified for individual and group home gardens) were among the first to receive training on home gardens. MtMs and Care Group leaders began passing on to their members the training that they had received.
This quarter saw notable progress in home gardens, namely the large number of gardens CADEL set up (1,910 out of the 3,000 planned) and the first results from training provided in Burkina Faso (where 52 gardens were installed). In addition, the first 27 schools (17 in NE and 10 in BF) were identified for new school gardens.
Training on setting up home gardens Women of Balgabouga (commune of A home garden set up in a village in the village of Haaba (Commune of Tankougounadié/Sahel Region) being of the commune of Barsalogho Bartiébougou/Est Region) trained to create plots (Centre-Nord Region)
In Niger, gardens were left nearly untouched in October and November while beneficiaries worked on harvesting rainfed crops instead. An infestation of grasshoppers and caterpillars also hindered gardening activities, destroying maize and cowpea crops that would have supplied food throughout the rainy season. However, since mid-November, gardening activities have resumed in all villages with potential
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 11 for home gardens. This information suggests that it may be time to reconsider different types of crop rotation for home gardens.
Investing in and/or Enhancing Oasis and Community Gardens and Supporting Individual Gardens Garden Planning In Niger and Burkina Faso, oasis and community garden planning is underway. Activities include performing field diagnostics, reviewing information about financial contributions, opening a new account, obtaining land titles and putting together applications.
In Niger, planning for the eight oasis gardens is underway. Gardeners have received Initiation to Market Garden Management & Planning (IGESPLAM) training and inputs for the first growing season (starting in January 2017) will soon be available. Two Volanta pumps were installed on two garden wells in Bissighin, in the Centre-Nord region. Solar panels must still be installed at the site and the ground is currently being prepared.
Preparations Community gardens and individual oasis gardens receive different types of support from Garden PRLs, project staff and CBSPs, who provide training and advisory services. The training and advisory services focus mainly on garden production techniques (including improved off-season techniques), setting up nurseries, caring for seedlings, parceling out and creating plots and making and using organic pesticides. CBSPs also provided a small amount of improved cuttings, such as moringa PKM1 and PDCO. Support was provided for more than 70 community and oasis gardens and 800 individual gardens this quarter.
Among the major investments in Niger was a local support system established through Oasis Relays. Eleven Oasis Relays are now in place. They will receive financial support from the project for six months, after which the beneficiaries will pay their wages.
The Garden PRL position (formerly called Garden CBSP), established when the project began in Tillabéri South, has begun proving its value this quarter. One PRL became a CBSP PRL. Of the 2.6 M CFA (around $4,333) in total seed sales for the project-supported gardens in Tillabéri South, he sold 2.1 M CFA (around $3,500), turning a profit of 325,000 CFA (around $542).
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More traditional sourcing methods are still in practice, such as in Tillabéri South, where women gardeners organized to acquire 225,000 CFA (around $375) in seeds.
Plots of individual producers in Tillabéri North (left) and the commune of Sakoira in Diamballa
Watermelon and moringa (the moringa garden in Cabbage and moringa at a demonstration site in Zabouré, in Maradi region) Droum, in Zinder region
Innovating to Improve Garden Profitability Sheladia Associates Inc. provided technical services between September 25 and October 14, 2016 to help develop tools for a committee set up to manage a watershed and to collect data and to create business plans for market gardens. The teams are currently using these tools in the field.
REGIS-ER received three comprehensive expert proposals—two related to the models for managing gardens and making them more profitable and one for introducing new solar pump models. Both proposals are currently being reviewed.
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Coaching on Manioc and PDCO Production Eleven new PDCO cuttings producers were identified this quarter bringing the total number of producers up to twelve (NE 8, BF 43). Nine of them received quality cuttings (Caromex 440, Jewel and Tiébélé varieties) to produce new cuttings for home gardens, which the beneficiaries can use to earn a living. The PDCO harvested at oasis sites (1.1 tons in Kuini, BF) and produced in home gardens will be consumed and sold by the producers.
PDCO cutting production sites, Assani (commune of Kourtheye, in Tillabéri North)
The two CBSPs producing virus-free manioc cuttings in Zinder have begun selling their product to 132 clients, 112 in late FY16 and 20 others this quarter.
CBSP Promotion and Businesses 1. Fruit Tree Nurseries In Burkina Faso, three new nursery managers supported by FASO and ViM were flagged for training by REGIS-ER in 2017; three more will soon be identified.
In Niger, the 10 nursery managers sold 19,428 seed- lings for a total of 2,081,150 CFA ($3,469), 864,550 CFA ($1,441) to REGIS-ER and 1,216,600 CFA ($2,028) outside the project to around 200 customers. Nursery manager results varied greatly, ranging from 492,500 CFA ($821) in sales outside of the project to zero. Note that the 11th nursery manager, in Tillabéri South, is not currently active due to health problems and will be replaced. Manioc cuttings, Bandé commune (Zinder)
3 These four producers also work with the FASO Program.
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Building shade houses in Nursery in Diamballa, commune of Sakoira, in Tillabéri North (left); Nursery in Diadia kado, commune of Kourtheye, in Tillabéri North. 2. Other CBSPs Several CBSPs involved in gardening activities are emerging: • Four CBSPs (one in the Centre-Nord and Est regions and two in Sahel) selling Bioprotect, a natural insecticide. • One CBSP in Tillabéri South is helping provide garden inputs.
Challenges • This quarter, oasis garden beneficiaries were not able to raise 1,500,000 CFA ($2,500). The goal set was too high. • Gardeners in community and oasis gardens were poorly organized, requiring coaching services from the project.
Program 3 – Access to Financial Services Facilitating Access to Informal Financial Services Community Financing Skill Building for PRLs/CBSPs New Finance PRLs and/or CBSPs were identified to help bolster the training process and provide support for informal savings and credit groups. Formal training to strengthen technical skills began with the SECCA strategy and training guide modules, as well as the monitoring and capitalization tools based on SECCA group data. A total of 98 community finance CBSPs (NE 36 [36 ARCs], BF 62 [5 facilitators, 57 ARCs]) were retrained/trained. Trainings will continue next quarter. In accordance with the orientations, each new CBSP in Burkina Faso received a kit consisting of five SECCA cashboxes for rent/purchase by groups who need them for savings and loans.
Establishment and Strengthening of Informal Savings and Loans Groups (SECCA) The project worked on building the skills of SECCA groups established in FY16 to enable them to continue their activities and make improvements. REGIS-ER also generated interest in new SECCA
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 15 groups which it then helped to establish. Skills were built through informational meetings with PRLs and leaders of the different groups receiving support from REGIS-ER, village General Assemblies and the training of new groups. In Burkina Faso, 2,486 people, including 1,453 women, attended a total of 55 meetings. Results: • In Burkina Faso, 72 new SECCA groups were formed and are receiving training and follow-up on their SECCA activities (and more than 130 other new groups were established for which the data is currently being entered into the database). • In Niger and Burkina Faso, 117 (NE 69, BF 48) former groups received training on how to resume and continue their savings and loan cycle.
A total of 4,518 people, including 3,926 women (SECCA group members), are achieving increased resilience due to their access to community savings and loan services. The results of the groups’ activities in terms of savings and loans awarded during the quarter are encouraging.
A total of 189 groups received support from the project this quarter to establish a self-sustaining community savings and loan system and to improve the practices and performance of existing groups. The follow-up and training provided for all of the SECCA facilitators, CBSPs and ATPs has produced promising quarterly results. The groups were able to mobilize more than 21 million CFA (approximately $36,510) in community savings and received more than 6 million CFA (about $10,250) in informal loans to members. The loan beneficiaries are primarily women and most of the loans were used to implement IGAs. These numbers are expected to grow during the next quarter with the end of the harvest season and the increased interest in new SECCA groups. However: • The borrowing rate remains low in certain regions (Kaya, Dori). The project will organize trainings to identify IGAs for both individuals and groups depending on the opportunities in each location. In addition, rural microcredit available to CBSPs and SECCA facilitators will be identified to increase the usage of the savings mobilized by SECCA groups in the form of IGA loans. • It appears that the worrisome food situation in certain regions of Niger is preventing many women from conducting IGAs that would ensure that they can pay their dues on a regular basis.
We also noted organized sharing among certain SECCA groups at the end of this cycle. For example, in Tillabéri South, members of groups from six villages shared nearly 1.3 million CFA (about $2,167). This allowed women to purchase seven ewes and three sheep, and provided funds to operate small
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 16 businesses. The funds also allowed women to purchase laundry soap and various cooking utensils (pails, ladles, etc.).
Photo taken during the training of 34 new community credit agents Photo taken during the training of 34 new community from Kaya. credit agents from Kaya.
Accessing Formal Credit from Banks and Microfinance Institutions With regard to formal credit access, the program accomplished the following this quarter: • SECCA groups were put in touch with microfinance institutions. • Members of CF groups that receive agricultural input support and other groups opened a total of 680 (NE 238, BF 442) accounts at KOKARI, ASUSU, Sonibank and MECAT in Niger and at Caisses populaires and GRAINE SARL in Burkina Faso. • Producers’ groups saved a total of 7,352,570 CFA ($12,254) for the projected purchases of agricultural inputs and social infrastructure repairs, and the accumulation of capital to be used as loan funds. • A total of 23,955,000 CFA (approximately $39,925) was granted as credit, including: o NE: 19,520,000 CFA ($32,533) by KOKARI in Tillabéri North and Tillabéri South to 254 producers and 22 groups for IGAs, CBSP agricultural inputs, fattening credits and cowpea warrantage; o BF: 4,435,000 CFA ($7,392) by Caisses populaires in Manni, Barsalogho and Yalgo to three groups totaling 54 members to finance animal fattening operations, market gardening and small businesses.
Facilitating Warrantage Implementation Warrantage financing primarily provides credit with recovery insurance. In addition, the credit provides access to funds needed for IGAs, agricultural inputs for market gardening and the timely purchase of improved seed varieties for rainfed crops. Joint initiatives between REGIS-ER and REGIS-AG resulted in the organization of warrantage trainings/workshops (with the participation of microfinance institutions) in several regions, as well as trainings on cowpea conservation (Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage bags, or PICS).
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In Tillabéri North, the Banque Agricole (BAGRI) approved the partnership for the financing of warrantage activities.
Main Challenges/Constraints The main challenges faced this quarter include the following: Niger: • No funds were disbursed by Kokari in Zinder or Maradi. The awarding of new loans has been delayed by the slow repayment of loans previously made, resulting from the sales slump of fattened animals. For example, the exclusive breastfeeding women's group (AME) from Katangou [Maradi] had to sell ten of the 25 sheep purchased at the start of the operations. The producer organizations (POs) that were granted debt rescheduling have not yet honored the agreement. Many of the PO members who received animal fattening credits were forced to sell their farm products in order to pay back the loans. • The growing season did not meet the farmers’ expectations, particularly in Maradi and Zinder, because of the poor rainfall. The MFIs therefore need to examine the loan repayment terms. • These institutions often lack the cash required to honor their agreements. Burkina Faso: • Without the proper certification, many CF groups are unable to open accounts. • RCPB and GRAINE SARL were late in presenting an operational action plan to REGIS-ER, which affected the implementation of their MOUs with the project.
Program 4 - Resilient Production Systems Conservation Farming Results of the Evaluation of the CF-FMNR and Non-CF-FMNR Yields for the 2016 Growing Season Collaboration continued with the Ministry of Agriculture technical services during the 2016 rainy season to evaluate the impact of CF on sorghum, millet and cowpea yields. A total of 1,310 yield test plots (NE 695 in four regions, BF 6154 in two regions [Kaya, Dori] and the local NGO zone [Loroum and Bam]) were established in CF and non-CF fields. Since the data is currently being processed for Zinder, Tillabéri North and Fada, those results are not included below. We have received the results for Maradi, Balléyara, Kaya and Dori and the local NGO zones in Burkina Faso, which are provided in the figures that follow.
4 The number of yield test plots in Fada are not included.
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Average CF and Non-CF Yields -- 2016 Growing Season Yield increases in Maradi: (Maradi, Balléyara, Kaya, Dori and Local NGO Zones) sorghum 60%, millet 105%, and cowpea 21%. 2500 Yield increases in Balléyara: 2000 sorghum 161%, millet 87%, 1500 and cowpea 120%. Yield increases in Kaya: Kg/ha 1000 sorghum 89%, millet 109%, 500 and cowpea 93%.
0 Yield increases in local NGO CF Non-CF Non-CF CF Non-CF CF millet sorghum sorghum millet cowpea cowpea zones (Bam and Loroum): Maradi 1208 756 2168 1056 808 664 sorghum 60%, millet 5%, Balleyara 1212 463 632 337 408 185 and cowpea 16% Kaya 1538 813 1247 595 1188 615 Yield increases in Dori: Local NGO zones 1008 628 800 640 780 608 sorghum 46%, millet 71%, Dori 1296 888 1098 642 802 324 and cowpea 148%.
We observed that yields were always higher in CF fields compared to non-CF fields. The compost that was produced as part of the compost operation, together with the CF input support which provided the farmers with NPK fertilizer, significantly increased the yields in Kaya and Dori. However, farmers in the local NGO zones who have just begun operations used more manure than compost when implementing CF-FMNR techniques. Additional work is necessary to increase the amount of compost available since it is the only way to increase yields. The success rates once again generated a large amount of enthusiasm and farmers are already beginning to come forward for the next growing season. In Niger, 374 farmers from 13 non-REGIS-ER villages are interested in using the techniques during the next growing season.
Analysis of the Impact of CF-FMNR on Production and Food Security The main objective of evaluating each growing season's yields is to measure the impact of CF-FMNR on the amount of grains available to households who have implemented the techniques. The evaluation followed a methodology based on the random selection of farmers and the random establishment of plots. The recommended plot setup technique used by CILSS member countries was also randomly implemented. The estimates are provided in the table below:
Estimation of the Impact of CF-FMNR on Production: 2016 Growing Season Area (in ha) Estimated non-CF cultivated using CF yields (if the area Increase in yields Country Estimated CF techniques during was not cultivated due to CF (Regions) Crops yields in kg the 2016 growing using CF techniques in kg season techniques) in kg Sorghum, Niger (Maradi and millet & 2,452 2,640,798 1,456,512 1,184,286 Balléyara) cowpea Burkina Faso (Kaya, Sorghum, Bam and Loroum millet & 5,699 7,383,024 4,044,567 3,338,457 zones, Dori) cowpea
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Sorghum, Both countries millet & 8,151 10,023,822 5,501,079 4,522,743 cowpea N.B.: The data for Tillabéri North, Zinder and Fada is not available as it is currently being processed.
Partial results show that in Maradi and Balléyara in Niger and in Kaya (including the two local NGO zones) and Dori, the harvest (millet, sorghum and cowpea) increased by approximately 4,522 tons (NE 1,184 tons, BF 3,338) due to the use of CF techniques for the 11,575 (NE 3,717, BF 7,858) households who implemented CF-FMNR during the 2016 growing season.
In regard to food security, given the average number of seven people per household in our regions, we estimate that 81,025 (NE 26,019 and BF 55,006) people will benefit from the impact of CF. Based on the standards set by CILSS that estimate grain needs to be 231 kg of grains/year/person in Niger and 190 kg of grains/year/person in Burkina Faso, the targeted households need 16,461 (NE 6,010, BF 10,451) tons of grains per year. CF-FMNR’s contribution of 4,522 tons (NE 1,184, BF 3,338) increased food security by 27% (NE 20%, BF 32%) with a CF-FMNR average area of only 0.65 ha in Niger and 0.72 ha per household in Burkina Faso during the 2016 growing season.
Organization of Guided Visits during the 2016 CF-FMNR Growing Season This quarter, a total of 106 guided visits were organized in two regions in Niger and in one region in Burkina Faso to increase visibility of the effects of the technique and to attract more members for the next growing season. A total of 3,033 people participated in these visits, along with the notable participation of government technical services, FFP partners and commune mayors.
Country Number of guided visits Number of Participation of partners completed participants (FFP, government technical services) Niger (TS, TN) 25 701 BF (Kaya, local NGO zones) 81 2,332 16 Total 106 3,033
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Photo of a guided CF-FMNR visit in Barsalogho (Centre-Nord Photo of an interview with a farmer from Bouroum (Centre-Nord region) with the commune mayor in attendance. region) by the Notre Dame de Kaya radio station during a guided visit.
Photo (left): Guided CF-FMNR visit of a cowpea field in Sakoira (Tillabéri North); Photo (right): Control field
Organization of CF-FMNR Evaluation Meetings and Tastings of Dishes Prepared with Fortified Organic Millet In Niger, evaluation meetings were held in the four intervention communes in the Balléyara zone to assess the 2016 growing season. In each commune, the meetings brought together the lead producers, the departmental agricultural head (CDA) and the representative of the rural development commission from the Commune Council. During the meetings, participants identified strengths and weaknesses and proposed ways to reduce constraints in order to improve CF-FMNR operations.
In Burkina Faso, a total of 432 lead producers from Kaya and Fada participated in the CF-FMNR evaluation meetings for the 2016 growing season. The evaluation was very positive according to the testimonials of lead producers who noted a significant increase in production for members of groups who practiced CF-FMNR techniques. Technical services representatives also presented yield test plot results to the producers, which confirmed the increase in production levels.
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In collaboration with the Community-Based Health and Nutrition program (P8), food tastings of dishes prepared with fortified organic millet were organized in Burkina Faso. The results show a preference for fortified organic millet over the local variety. Participants were informed about its nutritional value, as millet is enriched with iron and zinc, in order to encourage farmers to grow and consume fortified organic millet.
Photo of the presentation of results of the CF-FMNR yield Photo of the tasting of dishes prepared with fortified organic evaluations by the ZAT Chief from Barsalogho (Centre-Nord millet in Bouroum (Centre-Nord Region) during the Region) during the evaluation meeting. evaluation meeting.
2016–2017 Compost Operation This quarter, four compost award ceremonies were organized in Maradi and Kaya with the participation of departmental/provincial agricultural directors, ZAT (technical support zone) chiefs and commune mayors. The remainder of the compost awards planned for in the strategy were awarded to a total of 24 CF-FMNR compost producer groups for the 2015–2016 growing season. (Including awards from previous months, a total of 75 compost awards have been distributed.)
The 2016–2017 compost operation was also launched this quarter so that producers could continue their compost production. A total of 2,314 (NE 501, BF 1,813) producers received training this quarter. The trainings have continued, as has the production of compost piles and pits.
Training on the Use of PICSs for Cowpea Conservation and Warrantage in Collaboration with REGIS-AG Members from CF-FMNR women's groups received training on the use of PICSs. A total of 917 participants, including 760 women (NE 32, BF 885) were trained. In addition, more than 59 cowpea CF groups from REGIS-ER participated in the information sharing meetings on warrantage organized by REGIS-AG.
Radio Program Four radio shows were broadcast this quarter in Kaya on the compost award. The CF-FMNR growing season results were also announced. Three microprograms were developed and broadcast (Kaya) in support of the compost operation, which was launched to increase awareness about compost production. Radio shows in the Balléyara zone also covered the compost award.
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CF Input Support To help CF-FMNR groups independently acquire agricultural inputs to implement the techniques, support was provided to connect the groups with microfinance institutions and agro-dealers. The implementation results are provided in the table below. Country Number of groups who Number of groups who Amount deposited in opened accounts at deposited money into group accounts in CFA microfinance institutions their accounts (in USD) Niger 261 0 2,014,500 ($3,358) Burkina Faso 425 177 16,455,650 ($27,426) Total 686 177 18,470,150 ($30,784) A total of 177 groups have already made deposits into the 686 accounts that have been opened. More than 18,470,150 CFA ($30,784) has been deposited into the CF group accounts at the microfinance institutions.
Evaluation of BDL Site Production In Niger, the evaluation of production levels on BDL sites is currently underway. Summaries of the production levels at 56 sites in Balléyara and Tillabéri North have been received: gumbo (236 tons), sorrel (21 tons) and senna (78 tons). Production levels were low in Balléyara due to insufficient rainfall in the zone with patches of drought lasting more than ten days.
Land Reclamation Niger: • In Maradi: o Following the training/retraining of trainers during which participants practiced constructing demi-lunes and learned how to combat Sida cordifolia, the Cash for Assets operations resumed at seven sites in Sabon Machi. This included the following: i) weeding of herbaceous/grass species; ii) removal of the herbaceous/grass species that are inedible for livestock; iii) collecting and burning of herbaceous/grass species that are inedible for livestock; and iv) watering of plants. These activities were completed on more than 150 ha spread over seven sites, involving 1,837 producers. o For the sites that had already been reclaimed, the follow-up this quarter reported the following: ▪ The planting and seeding completed at the Tadoné, Baraya and Kalgo sites did not produce the desired results because of the rainfall shortage in the zone. ▪ However, land reclamation efforts at the Gouzouri, Achalou, Indi and Dan Dassey sites produced encouraging results. Eighty-five percent of the plants have survived and the herbaceous plants are in full fructification. It should be noted that the producers at Dan Dadi Bouda (Dan Dassey) regularly water the plants in addition to maintaining the site.
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Weed control session on Sida Cordifolia, Maradi region
• In Balléyara: o Demi-lunes were constructed in accordance with the subsidy agreements signed between REGIS-ER and the villages. They cover 13 ha in three villages (seeding with herbaceous plants is in the process of completion). In Burkina Faso, a total of 160 producers in Dori have been trained in CES / DRS technology for the recovery of degraded pastoral lands. Arrangements of stone bunds were made of which 16 hectares were completed by the end of December (an additional 25 ha will be completed next quarter).
CES / DRS training in Dori: contour determination CES / DRS training in Dori: installation of stone bunds
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WFP Partnership Mr. Baraou Laouali conducted a one-month consultancy to evaluate the status of the WFP and REGIS-ER partnership in Sabon Machi Commune (Maradi Region) and debriefed project management in December, 2016 on his findings and recommendations. REGIS-ER’s partnership with WFP focusses on the reclamation of land for production and grazing purposes to help build productive assets in the communities to break the cycle of poverty and hunger. The challenge of finding a qualified, short-term staff for this activity has contributed to the slow results experienced over the course of this activity, but recruitment for a project manager and field supervisor will begin in the next quarter. A further challenge has been the reduction of WFP funding for the Cash for Assets program which complements REGIS-ER’s technical activities by providing cash for work to the communities working on the reclamation plots. The decreased amount of WFP funding could potentially discourage the local labor force and lead them to migrate to other areas, leaving behind the most vulnerable members of the community (women and children), before the land has been recovered sufficiently to generate income. For this reason, REGIS-ER intends to issue a grant to the various communities in the coming quarter to bridge the deficit in the Cash for Assets program. The activity has the potential to reach 11,072 people in Sabon Machi.
Program 5 – Disaster Risk Management and Local Institutions Improved Natural Resource Management Niger: During the quarter, local actors took part in several NRM fora. Institutional capacity to respond to climate change was built and workshops were held to disseminate the new Promotion of Local Institutions strategy in Niger. Local conventions were shared at workshops attended by 125 village heads in 6 sub-zones. Local convention documents were furnished to 141 villages in the Tondikandia commune.
In Guidan Roumdji, an inter-community forum took place to build awareness among local actors about the local convention on managing common resources and preventing land disputes. The forum brought together 170 participants, including village chiefs, civil society, technical services, the canton chief, the mayor and the prefect. In all, 341 people took part in these NRM fora.
A mission outside the project-support zone was conducted to establish contact with commune authorities in Dakoussa and in Hamdara (Mirriah Department, Zinder Region) and to build awareness of the development of a local convention in two communes of the region.
Burkina Faso: A workshop to bring Bouroum steering committee members up to speed on efforts to draft a local convention was held in the municipal government offices and was attended by 18 committee members, including the mayor, the heads of technical services responsible for rural development (Environment, Agriculture, Livestock) and eight members from four technical commissions of the Municipal Council. After the workshop, four sub-zone committees were formed according to predefined criteria (drive, motivation, relevant experience, gender mainstreaming, etc.). The sub-zones in question are Yéou – 18 members; Bouroum – 21 members; Ouayalghin – 19 members; and Toubayiri – 17 members. Members were trained to conduct natural resource assessments.
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Workshops to review, approve and share local conventions in Manni and Gayéri were organized by steering and zone committees for provincial authorities and provincial heads of agriculture, livestock and environmental services.
Information and awareness-building sessions were also held for local actors on drafting the local convention in the commune of Bartiébougou (Est Region). Communes were zoned, and zone committees were formed.
Meetings were held with mayors in Sebba, Sampelga and Bani (Sahel Region) to discuss why their commune was selected and to explain the methodology used to draft local conventions. Climate change capacity building was provided to 21 institutions.
Improved Disaster Risk Management Niger: Four community early warning and rapid response systems (SCAP-RU) were reactivated in the commune of Imanan (Tillabéri South), and awareness was raised about the establishment of 2 SCAP-RU in the neighboring commune of Tondikandia.
Members of the well-established Guidan Roumdji SCAP-RU board regularly hold meetings at the end of each month. They discuss issues related to the growing season, in particular, harvests and measures to apply in areas with mediocre harvests.
Burkina Faso: A funding application is currently being written by the Red Cross of Burkina Faso in order to continue its partnership with REGIS-ER.
Improved Conflict Management Regional teams coached existing SCAP/RU to improve their efficiency. In the area of conflict management, the construction of livestock corridor markers was completed and installation is underway on the remaining 62 km stretch located in Tondikandia Commune in Tillabéri South. In Zinder region, CLDs began taking shape pursuant to the institutional development strategy.
Securing Land Tenure Niger: The project advocated for nearly 18.5 ha of land transfers to women in the communes of Tondikandia (in Tillabéri South -- just under 12.5 ha) and Kourtheye (in Tillabéri North - 6 ha).
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Burkina Faso: Funding in the amount of $203,823 was granted to ONF-BF to support 5 communes in their efforts to secure land tenure.
ONF-BF held a launching ceremony with a demonstration of USAID Tanzania’s MAST (Mobile Application to Secure Tenure) technology in the commune of Boudry (which is outside the project ZOI). REGIS-ER arranged for invitations for the Mayors of all 5 communes where it had developed, or was developing, a Local Convention (Barsalogho, Bouroum, Gayéri, Manni and Seytenga). The Mayors’ participation MAST Launch in Boudry enabled them to better understand the processes to secure land tenure and the role that MAST can play in that respect from the beginning, and to make informed decisions about their contribution to processes that will be supported by REGIS-ER and ONF-BF in their communes.
Promotion of local institutions Niger: Workshops were held in Maradi and Zinder to share the Promotion of Local Institutions strategy with the regional teams. In addition, an information and awareness-raising workshop on the Promotion of Local Institutions strategy was organized for local stakeholders in the commune of Droum, followed by the creation of 21 Local Development Committees (CLDs). The goal is to better control the approach and objectives of this strategy so that sustainable and credible local institutions are established.
Burkina Faso: Exchange meetings with the Water Point Management Committees of five villages in Seytenga, Sebba and Sampelga Communes on the procedures for storage and management of subsidized materials for the new sites for the installation of stone bunds and an inventory of structures in the communes of Sampelga and Seytenga was organized. This allowed the Water Point Management Committees to improve their system for managing community assets.
Finally, exchange meetings with Seytenga’s mayor on the choice of Village Development Councils (CVDs) to be renewed were conducted. This process of identification is a step towards the structuring and/or revitalization of local institutions in Burkina Faso so that the CVD can more effectively meet the needs of local communities.
Coordination and Management Key events in Niger include: • Organization of the USAID visit to the sites of Sourgo Koira and Soukoutou in Tondikandia Commune (Tillabéry South) and meeting with the regional team on the 25th and 27th of October. • Participation in the meeting on SCAP-RU and OSV at the national level for the prevention and management of disasters and food crises. This meeting provided insight into the evolution of government policy in this area which will inform project activities in disaster risk management.
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• Meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Regional Committee for the Prevention and Management of Food Crises in Zinder on SCAP-RU and OSV. This meeting provided an opportunity for the project to share information on its activities and lessons learned with the regional government, and to maintain partnerships and collaboration.
Key events in Burkina Faso include: • Participation in a kickoff meeting for REGIS-ER’s and ONF-BF’s collaboration on land security and conflict management activities. • Participation in a series of workshops for the framing and consultation of RISE partners in Ouagadougou, organized by WFP as part of WFP's funding from USAID for joint WFP and RISE activities. • Participation in the regional meeting for Centre-Nord, chaired by the Governor, at which the PNDES (National Policy for Economic and Social Development), the framework for GoBF economic development policies, was presented. • Presentation of program activities and of the REGIS-ER restructuring to the mayors of Bani, Sampelga, Sebba and Seytenga Communes for informational purposes. • Participation in the Seno Provincial stakeholders’ meeting on 22 December which aimed to share information among stakeholders and to promote better complementarity of activities among them.
Lessons Learned The project will provide coaching for the Program Managers and accelerate the development of local conventions over the next quarter. In addition, REGIS-ER intends to accelerate its processing of small grant requests for the COFOB equipment, and other such grants.
Program 6 – Water Services Improving Access to Potable Water 1. Training • Training on operating commune services in the regions of Maradi, Zinder and Tillabéri North to ensure sustainability of the investments once the project has been handed off to the communities; a total of 92 elected officials received training on managing public water services. • Training of water point management committees (CGPEs) in Zinder and Tillabéri South to ensure local appropriation of the management of these infrastructures and thus the sustainability of these investments; 147 CGPE members received training. The CGPEs come from villages where water points were installed in FY16. • Training of market gardeners on water potabilization techniques in Tillabéri North to improve access to potable water where water is currently available but water quality problems exist. A total of 60 women market gardeners benefited from this training.
Meetings were also organized in Burkina Faso to present P6 activities to municipal authorities in order to continue providing support to the commune. Trainings for local actors (including elected commune officials and water users’ associations [AUEs]) are scheduled for next quarter.
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2. Financial contribution of CGPEs and AUEs Awareness raising among AUEs on the mobilization of financial contributions for the restoration/ construction of boreholes equipped with human-powered pumps. These efforts were deployed in conjunction with the revitalization of AUEs based on the support needs that were identified during the interview with members of the AUE executive board. In Niger (CGPE), legal ownership rights were acquired for 16 oasis garden sites throughout the regions (seven in Balléyara, two in Maradi, four in Zinder, and three in Tillabéry North) and 3,211,125 CFA ( $5,352) in financial contributions were mobilized for potable water points for the oasis garden sites.
In addition, the results of the follow-up on water point management are encouraging as most of the committees are continuing to collect and secure revenues from water sales. In some cases, the resources generated by these water points have covered the cost of small repairs without requiring external intervention. 3. Progress Made on Water Point Installations During this quarter, in Niger, the project identified the water point sites to be constructed in FY17 for potable water and irrigation. It also developed funding requests and mobilized financial contributions made by the population.
The table below outlines the work that has been completed.
Work Progress by Country Niger Fiscal year Extent and nature of the Follow-up and monitoring Work progress plan work Restoration of 53 water The work has been completed Follow-up was conducted by the points (19 wells and 34 since 2015. Water and Sanitation for Africa (EAA) boreholes) by the team (REGIS-ER consortium member). following companies: Mahamadou Koubou (13 wells), Dan Maradi (5 FY15 wells), BAH (11 boreholes), FORAMAT (13 boreholes) and Ibrahim Abdouramane Touré (10 boreholes and 1 well) Construction of 47 new The work has been completed Follow-up was completed by the water points by the since 2016. Regional Water and Sanitation following companies: Directorates (DREA) in the four FY16 BAH (15 boreholes), regions. FORANI (17 boreholes) and SOBAFOR (15 boreholes). Bid selection processes completed. Follow-up will be completed by the Construction of 29 water Project received USAID approval. Regional Water and Sanitation FY17 points (boreholes) Contractual arrangements have Directorates in the four regions. not yet been formalized.
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Burkina Faso Fiscal year Extent and nature of the Follow-up and monitoring Work progress plan work Partial restoration of 47 DERE has begun work. Follow-up is provided by independent boreholes by the BEESTH plans to begin work on consultants. FY15 following companies: January 9th, 2017. BEESTH (19) and DERE (28) USAID has validated the company Follow-up will be completed by the Installation of 31 new selection report and given its regional water and sanitation water points (boreholes) approval to continue: signing of departments in the three regions. FY16 contracts in process. Administration has received the Follow-up will be completed by the Restoration of 79 company selection report. regional water and sanitation boreholes departments in the three regions. The bid solicitation (DAO) has Follow-up will be completed by the Construction of 36 water been made available to Regional Water and Sanitation points (boreholes) administration for modification Directorates in the three regions. and publication. FY17 The bid solicitation (DAO) has Follow-up will be completed by the Restoration of 47 been made available to Regional Water and Sanitation boreholes administration for modification Directorates in the three regions. and publication.
4. Collaboration Protocol with the DREA To facilitate the construction/restoration of boreholes in the regions, discussions with the Regional Water and Sanitation Directorates have resulted in an agreement that they will monitor the work being completed by the companies. The general objective is to benefit from the support the DREAs provide to complete the work and ensure sustainability for the investments. The protocol continues to serve as a general collaboration framework but will essentially ensure that DREA monitors and follows up on the construction/restoration work completed. Monitoring will begin as work gets underway and the budget and the Terms of Reference have been received, accompanied by resumes for each monitoring agent provided by the DREAs according to the guidelines in the TOR.
5. Quarterly Analysis of the Water Points Restored/Constructed In its mission to provide the target populations with access to potable water, REGIS-ER sampled and tested the water points that have been constructed. A total of 76 boreholes in Burkina Faso were analyzed: 24 boreholes in the Est region (Fada), 38 in the Sahel region (Dori) and 14 in the Centre-Nord region (Kaya).
In Maradi and Tillabéri, the Regional Water and Sanitation Directorate analyzed the physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of 68 water points (dug wells and boreholes). The results of these analyses show that there is not an arsenic problem in the zone. However, certain water points show bacteriological contamination due to poor hygiene in the areas surrounding the water points.
All of the water points whose analyses indicate substandard water quality are subject to the appropriate treatment as stipulated in the water quality plan. Raising awareness about the importance of proper
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hygiene in the areas surrounding water points and continuing the follow-up in quarterly analyses are also necessary. The results will also be shared with the DREAs and the respective commune authorities.
Sampling water from restored water sources to test water quality.
Improving Water Point Governance and Management 1. Revitalization of AUEs/CGPEs The project has developed a revitalization strategy to better equip AUEs in Burkina Faso and the CGPEs in Niger to assume full control over the management of potable water points. The strategy was reviewed and improved in October 2016 in Burkina Faso and a social engineering document was produced for multi-disciplinary field agents (ATP) to inform and guide their support of the AUEs. In Niger, the strategy is in the process of being finalized. 2. Distribution of Toolkits to Repair Persons According to the REGIS-ER social engineering strategy in Burkina Faso, each commune will have three properly trained and equipped repair persons at their disposal. This began with the re-designation of two existing repair persons per commune. In Fada, the re-designation of repair persons was completed in collaboration with DREA, in Kaya it was done with the FASO program, and in Dori only REGIS-ER was involved. Following the re-designation, repair persons received toolkits to ensure they have the necessary equipment to complete maintenance and repairs on the human-powered pumps. A total of eight toolkits were distributed (two kits per commune). The equipment for the six individuals in Kaya and 16 in Dori has been received and will be distributed in January 2017.
Distribution of hand-operated pump toolkits to two repair Distribution of hand-operated pump toolkits to two persons in the commune of Gayéri (Est region). repair persons in the commune of Foutouri (Est region).
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Reinforcing Agricultural and Animal Production Capacities Follow-up was conducted on the eight oasis garden sites (in Tillabéri South): all of the water points at these sites have been constructed and the solar pump systems have been installed. The basins and pipelines are in the final stages of completion and follow-up is being conducted as part of the P2 program (Horticulture).
In Burkina Faso, sites have been proposed for market garden wells following discussions with PRAPS, initiated by CILSS. These sites have been proposed to meet the need for agricultural infrastructures in the REGIS-ER intervention zones.
Feasibility study on market garden wells: In the Est region (Burkina Faso), REGIS-ER plans to construct concrete-lined wells for use by women market gardeners. Surveys to determine whether the hydrogeological properties of the sites are suitable for wells must be conducted. The terms of reference have been drawn up and the recruitment of a service provider to conduct the feasibility studies is underway.
Partnerships and Collaboration Participation in Coordination Efforts and the Rural Water Supply Network International Forum: REGIS- ER participated in coordination meetings with both national partners (the Ministry and UNICEF) and regional partners (clusters). We also participated in the forum, which brought us up to date on advances that have been made in all aspects of water access in rural areas. The specific innovations that REGIS-ER can put into application are described in the mission report. It is apparent that there is not a single technology or model that provides a solution to every scenario; rather, the technology and models must be adapted to each situation.
Program 7 – Hygiene and Sanitation Action plans for P7 were finalized and shared during the quarter. Regional Program Managers (PMRs) of P6 and P7 in Burkina Faso met for a workshop to define and coordinate team strategies for more effective implementation throughout the year. Latrine construction in the country was delayed by harvesting and food processing, which were a major focus for the people during the quarter. Nevertheless, Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) kicked off in villages, where it was prepared, launched and implemented by Village Sanitation Committees (CVAs). Additionally, as part of our scaling up efforts, we are currently recruiting NGOs to implement CLTS in 200 villages (100 in NE and 100 in BF).
Promoting Hygiene and Sanitation Practices Niger: • Seventy sites were flagged for CLTS throughout all regions. Subsequently, there were two missions to prepare the CLTS launch; technical and commune services carried out a third mission to approve the sites. • CLTS was launched in a total of 19 villages, 13 in Zinder and six in Balléyara. The project raised awareness on maintaining and using latrines and on hygiene at water points; WASH management committees were either set up or revitalized. • Following the launches and awareness-raising activities, 135 latrines were built (52 in Maradi, 5 in Tillabéri and 78 in Balléyara). Hygiene sessions organized by the local populations are ongoing. • Fifteen local elected officials in Balléyara and 63 members of the village hygiene committee in Maradi received CLTS training.
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• REGIS-ER raised public awareness about good hygiene at water points, the water supply chain and latrines throughout the ZOI. The project ramped up hygiene and sanitation activities with awareness-raising sessions on proper latrine use and upkeep in 48 villages targeted for CLTS. The sessions also addressed good hygiene practices around water points and the water supply chain. Management committees have already been trained and have received information kits. • REGIS-ER attended ceremonies on days dedicated to raising awareness about handwashing and latrines. • THE project took part in an international forum in Abidjan, which addressed water access and sanitation in rural areas and provided an opportunity for WASH experts from various countries to exchange knowledge and lessons learned.
Burkina Faso: Analyzing CLTS as a Value Chain The project conducted an analysis in villages targeted for CLTS to identify the roadblocks and find home- grown solutions to implementing CLTS without grants in these areas. The analysis included a total of 25 villages (5 in Dori, 10 in Kaya and 10 in Fada) and was conducted during a focus group meeting with community leaders. Participants weighed in on various factors involved in ending open-air defecation: stakeholders, potential constraints, and possibilities and solutions for good household hygiene.
The analysis revealed that the main roadblock to CLTS implementation is the provision of subsidies by the government and some NGOs in the area, which makes it difficult to implement CLTS without a subsidy. Other roadblocks include the lack of awareness or poor understanding of the dangers of open- air defecation and poor hygiene practices.
Nevertheless, a number of community leaders, Village Development Councils (CVDs), Commune Councilors, traditional/religious leaders and women leaders at the meeting stated that their communities would adopt good practices if they were well informed and understood the dangers mentioned above.
Implementing CLTS in Participating Villages This quarter, CLTS got off to a slow start due to labor requirements during the harvest season. Despite these challenges, the project was able to implement the approach and secure commitments from 21 villages to build latrines without grants.
CVAs were put in place to monitor latrine construction in the villages. The local populations were encouraged to create hygiene days and to help organize a “model compound” competition. Currently, certain households in the Sahel region (Dori) have begun digging latrines. The below table gives an overview of CLTS implementation:
Overview of CLTS Implementation in Burkina in Q1 Regions Activities Sahel/Dori Est/Fada Centre Nord/Kaya TOTAL CLTS analysis 6/15 10/68 11/20 27/103 Pre-triggering preparations 15/15 6/68 10/20 31/103 Triggering 15/15 2/68 4/20 21/103 CVAs set up 15/15 2/68 4/20 21/103
Local Management and Coordination
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Burkina Faso: This quarter, REGIS-ER: • Made initial contact with institutional actors—three DREAs and 15 project-supported communes—to discuss buy-in for the program activities. The project explained the activity package and asked for help getting local populations to participate and make the activities successful. • Met with the commune-level water and sanitation committee in Manni, in the Est region, during which it presented hygiene and sanitation activities, thereby securing the committee’s support. • Attended meetings during which WASH and DREA actors gave updates on activities and shared work plans.
Areas of Convergence Niger: • Several activities were conducted in cooperation with other programs. Women gardeners learned about handwashing with soap, latrine use and upkeep and tippy tap installation through P2. MtM groups learned about handwashing with soap and latrine use and upkeep through P8. REGIS-ER staff learned about the roles of CWGs and CLDs in P7 activities during training for the eventual establishment of CWGs and CLDs under P5. A Few Changes The following changes were reported in Burkina Faso: • During meetings with communes and DREAs, the project presented its work and garnered support from institutional representatives for it to continue. • Information shared with WASH actors led to improved coordination with the operations of NGOs working in the area. • Fifteen authorities in project-backed communes committed to participating in P7 implementation. • Community leaders in villages participating in CLTS became more aware of the dangers of fecal contamination. • Twenty-one villages committed to building latrines without grants. • One hundred new villages were identified for CLTS implementation with an NGO.
Challenges In Burkina Faso, the main challenges that hindered activity implementation were: • Weak mobilization of local populations due to labor needs during the harvest season; • Unfinished counseling cards for CVA training; • The presence of other NGOs implementing CLTS with subsidies which is a roadblock to the project’s plans for CLTS implementation.
Program 8 – Community-based Health and Nutrition This quarter, REGIS-ER’s Community-based Health and Nutrition Program focused on training individuals and households on how to best use local foods, diversify diets and provide access to health and nutrition services.
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The program strategy is based on social and behavior change communication (SBCC) through platforms established by community leaders, such as MtM groups, EdMs and Learning and Support Groups for [Female] Adolescents (GASAs). The project is also implementing a strategy to improve community health and nutrition through activities identified and coordinated by Quality Improvement Teams (EAQs).
Interpersonal Communication Through Community-based Platforms MtM Groups Niger: • Program 8 restructured MtM groups into three member categories in accordance with recommendations in the revised strategy. Members were organized into a total of 560 groups of pregnant women, 459 groups of breastfeeding women and women with children six months old or younger and 811 groups of breastfeeding women with children ages six to 24 months, for a total of 1,830 MtM groups in Niger (552 new groups recently established in villages in Balléyara and Tillabéri North Regions). The purpose of the restructuring was to foster continuous (and seamless) membership in MtM groups. • ATPs conducted regular monitoring and oversight of the (Lead Mothers’) facilitation of the discussions during MtM group meetings.
Dietary Diversification Niger: • Group efforts were made to produce enriched flour in 15 villages in Balléyara. By working together, MtMs are able to cover members who lack certain ingredients. This practice strengthens group ties and encourages members to share experiences with each other. • Trained lead mothers provided training on enriched flour and porridge preparation in 1,278 villages. • A total of 101 MtM groups took part in community meals to promote local products and help make traditional dishes more balanced.
Burkina Faso: • A total of 111 MtM groups in the Est and Sahel regions took part in community meals, where 1,771 people received information on health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation (handwashing with soap, preventative and curative healthcare) and discussed the nutritional value of the dishes. EdM Niger: • Thirty ATPs and 33 government health agents in Maradi, Tillabéri and Balléyara were trained on having the eight EdM discussions with other members. • Trained ATPs and health agents trained 326 EdM representatives on the 10 PAFs; the representatives then trained 636 other men in 53 EdMs. • EdMs drafted 3-month action plans for EdM conversations and PAF adoption to help improve maternal and child health in households.
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Burkina Faso: • Eleven new EdMs were set up in the Centre-Nord region. • Twenty EdM coaches were trained on four themes relating to health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. The four themes were supplementary foods, nutrition for women, preventative and curative services and handwashing with soap. GASA REGIS-ER reviewed the Safe Space model based on the Sawki project model which the project had been using for over a year in Maradi and decided to adopt a new approach: Learning and Support Groups for (Female) Adolescents, or GASAs. This quarter, a URC consultant visited Maradi and spoke with youth, their parents and community leaders to gather information for developing mentor training tools.
The project held a brainstorming session followed by meetings with the head of Mwangaza Action to GASA activities in Dogon Farou, Maradi bolster training in youth clubs in Dori, in the Sahel region. The brainstorming session was held in Dori on December 1 and 2, 2016, and involved 12 technicians from URC and Mwangaza Action. Two main areas of cooperation and coordinated actions were identified to support young girls in 29 villages targeted for P8.
Improving Quality in Communities Niger: This quarter, a specialist on improving quality in communities (EAQ-C) gave an introductory presentation in Bandé Commune (Zinder Region) on EAQ cooperation to 30 EAQ members, 10 village chiefs, six health agents, one commune representative, five ATPs, four Regional Program Managers (PMRs) and the National Program Manager (PMN) for community-based health and nutrition, and the Technical Coach. Participants developed an action plan for all project-supported regions, with the following objectives: • Begin collecting data. • Update action plans to align them with two main objectives: (i) all household members wash their An EAQ working on an action plan hands at critical times, and (ii) all children between six to nine months old eat porridge made with enriched flour. These two objectives were selected to align the focus of all EAQs on the same problems in order to identify best practices and share them. • Organize learning sessions per commune in January 2017. • Set up new EAQs in late February 2017. • Organize learning and exchange sessions per Integrated Health Center (CSI)/health district to identify potential best practices to approve, in March 2017. • Plan a second learning and exchange session to identify and share the approved best practices in communes with new EAQs, in May 2017.
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Burkina Faso: This quarter, 74 EAQ-Cs were formed and trained. Each team is currently implementing an action plan that is based on health and nutrition priorities for the local populations.
Coordinating Programs The project met with all PMRs and PMNs working on P8 to coordinate community health and nutrition approaches. Attendees shared their experiences and revised, reorganized and aligned their strategies to reflect lessons learned.
Partnerships Collaboration with SPRING/DG As part of its community health and nutrition program, REGIS-ER is collaborating with SPRING/DG to diversify its communication channels through the sharing of community videos. SPRING/DG and REGIS- ER have worked together to introduce the community video approach in the project ZOI in Zinder region. In Maradi they collaborated to implement the initiative in 11 villages the first year, after which REGIS-ER decided to scale up the initiative in all 60 project villages in the region.
This quarter, the following joint actions were taken: • Participation in the Citizens Working Group to plan a workshop for re-training trainers; • Training of new community intermediaries identified in the additional villages from the third phase; • Information exchange workshop between SPRING/DG partners and the SBCC/SPRING consultant on the mapping of SBCC activities in each partner's intervention zones; • Planning and data compilation meetings (compilation of data from community intermediaries). In addition to the ten existing intervention villages in Burkina Faso, the approach was extended to 20 new villages, including five in the Est and Centre-Nord regions. In preparation for screening of the community videos, a series of Training of Trainers was run for project agents from the RISE initiative, including five ATPs from REGIS-ER in the Est region. The training will be held for five other agents in the Centre-Nord region in January 2017.
Collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Niger As part of the festivities surrounding World Breastfeeding Week, special events were organized in Niger in tandem with activities for the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) and World Contraception Day. The activities were organized in the health districts in Maradi region. REGIS-ER also provided support for the following: • Radio shows on exclusive maternal breastfeeding broadcast by Women participants at the community viewing of the video on regional radio stations exclusive maternal breastfeeding
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• Screenings of community videos on breastfeeding at the Integrated Health Centers in Guidan Roumdji and Sabon Machi Communes.
Collaboration with Marie Stopes International (MSI) Collaboration with MSI was strengthened in the Est region of Burkina Faso (Manni) to facilitate access to family planning services in the commune for members of 403 MtM groups. Currently, family planning methods are being adopted in this zone as a result of this partnership and the sensitization in the EdMs.
Collaboration with other organizations in Niger An information exchange meeting took place with the NGO team from PATHFINDER International on joint actions in the shared intervention villages targeted by the new reproductive health and family planning project in Zinder. A work session with Sawki was also held to discuss experiences with the GASAs in Maradi.
Program Integration In Niger, three major activities were organized jointly with P1 (two activities) and P2 (one activity). They were: • Identification of Habbanayé beneficiaries in the MtM groups in the new villages in the Balléyara zone; • Organization of the barrier analysis survey on goats’ milk consumption among Habbanayé beneficiaries in the three regions; • Development of a group of exercises and the creation/validation of concepts for videos on home gardens with the P2 Regional Program Managers and the SPRING/DG agent. In Burkina Faso, the review of CF activities served as an occasion to organize the tasting of three dishes (porridge, “tô” and “zom-koom”) prepared with fortified organic millet. The events were held in the Est and Centre-Nord regions from December 19 to 23, 2016. Each of the dishes was evaluated for taste, consistency/texture and appearance as part of the introduction of the new variety. Based on the preliminary results of the taste tests, participants preferred the dishes prepared using organic fortified millet over those prepared with the local variety. The tasting sessions provided an opportunity to promote organic fortified millet by raising awareness about its nutritional value.
Problems Encountered and Proposed Solutions Problem Encountered Proposed Solution Niger: Insufficient completion of surveys in villages due Identification by RPMs of literate individuals to to illiterate intermediaries in the zones of replace the intermediaries chosen during the Achallou, Baraya and Bardé (Maradi) village general assembly Replacement made and individuals trained Difficulty managing equipment for the Increased training of intermediaries in problem community screening of videos in Achallou zones through monthly meetings and regular (Maradi) follow-up with intermediaries by the ATPs, monitored by the regional project managers Insufficient follow-up/supervision of activities on Responsibility of developing action plans and the part of the ATPs. The ATPs do not regularly conducting follow-up assumed by government follow up/monitor P8 activities in any of the health agents and ASBCs/relay agents
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regions. For example, the MtM groups did not receive monthly visits from the ATPs this quarter.
Burkina Faso: Irregular meetings of MtM groups in high- Responsibility of developing action plans and potential gold mining regions (Est and Sahel) conducting follow-up assumed by government health agents and ASBCs/relay agents Implementation of the Habbanayé system Irregular meetings with Husband Schools due to a Number of posters increased and made available lack of communication tools. to the groups Weak collaboration between the EAQs and health Health agent attends monthly data analysis services, thereby limiting the effects of their meetings organized by the EAQ in order to interventions on the communities concerned update indicators
Conclusion It was a busy quarter. The community health and nutrition program focused on knowledge consolidation, reinforcing successful activities and making the necessary adjustments based on the lessons learned from the different approaches.
III. Cross-cutting Activities Monitoring and Evaluation SAREL Data Quality Assessment (DQA) In October 2016, SAREL conducted a DQA for 6 REGIS-ER indicators selected by USAID|Senegal. The implementation of recommendations from the previous DQA was also evaluated. SAREL presented the findings of the latest DQA in November 2016 in Ouagadougou. The DQA revealed weaknesses in data quality for some of REGIS-ER indicators. A conference call between SAREL and REGIS-ER teams was held to address issues raised in the DQA. The Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at USAID’s Sahel Regional Program Office in Dakar and the M&E Practice Lead at Sheladia Headquarters also took part in the meeting. Following this discussion, REGIS-ER prepared answers to all the questions raised in the DQA report and sent the document to SAREL.
Revision of Project Targets and Indicators Though project targets were revised in March 2015, the following observations were made regarding indicators in FY16: • Project capacity to influence certain indicators was underestimated and performance is too high two years before the end of the project. • Targets for some indicators were overestimated, and performance is too low. Other indicators appear to be less relevant in the context of the project; therefore, REGIS-ER intends to discontinue monitoring for these indicators in the PMP.
To improve the quality of project monitoring and performance measurements, REGIS-ER informed USAID, once the FY17 Work Plan had been submitted, that it intended to propose revised targets and indicators to better reflect project realities during scale-up. The REGIS-ER Monitoring and Evaluation Unit held a workshop to review the targets and indicators in Niamey, with the senior members of the M&E unit, the
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Technical Coaches (former Component Managers), the M&E Practice Lead at Sheladia and REGIS-ER senior management all taking part in the review.
A report containing the following recommendations was submitted to USAID for feedback: • Eliminate 4 indicators; • Increase targets for 14 indicators; • Reduce targets for 7 indicators; • Set benchmarks for selected indicators; • Conduct an annual survey to provide data for indicators for which no data has been collected.
Revision of M&E System Tools The REGIS-ER scale up strategy has a significant impact on quality control and M&E must be adapted to meet data survey needs regarding project performance. The sheer volume of data to be collected requires assistance from new actors in M&E, namely PRLs and CBSPs. In preparation, the M&E Unit held a workshop in Ouagadougou to review REGIS-ER M&E tools. This workshop brought together the entire M&E project team, 2 Technical Coaches and PMNs from Burkina Faso. The workshop activities involved: • Updating data collection sheets and PIRS to account for identified weaknesses, DQA recommendations and USAID changes; • Developing new sheets or adapting existing sheets that account for program-specific data in data collection; • Developing PRL- and CBSP-friendly data collection templates.
Workshop outputs are currently being finalized by the M&E team. The revised tools will be in use no later than the end of February 2017.
Putting a Database into Production in the Field The project database was put into production in November 2016 by the REGIS-ER Database Administrator. Roll-out included training for M&E staff and 7 Regional Coordinators on using the database. However, M&E staff have yet to begin data entry owing in large part to unstable internet connections in the regions. The project is currently devising a solution that would enable offline use of the database.
Reporting The M&E Unit contributed to the data production that fed various project performance reports. This quarter, data was collected using the same procedures as in previous years apart from the approval process. Once the first round of data from the project-supported regions had been entered, the M&E Specialist returned data to each region so that regional teams could flag any potential discrepancies. This step allowed us to reach a consensus on the data, which eliminated or reduced discrepancies in our activity reports.
In addition to the quarterly report, the M&E unit also provided data for specific tools furnished by USAID for the annual report: Feed the Future Monitoring System (FTFMS) and the Performance, Plan and Report (PPR).
Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Initiatives REGIS-ER took part in learning initiatives piloted by SAREL with RISE partners, such as:
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• Updating the REGIS-ER resilience fact file at the RISE meeting held in Ouagadougou in November 2016. • Conducting a midterm evaluation for the RISE initiative. In the lead-up to this evaluation, SAREL requested specific documents from RISE partners. REGIS-ER provided the project PMP, annual workplans, annual reports and 21 thematic studies linked to project activities. M&E Staff The Regional M&E Coach in Tillabéri North left the project in November 2016. Recruitment has begun, and the replacement will likely begin work in February 2017.
Gender Gender and resilience capacity building for project staff and the establishment of focal points for gender monitoring in all project-supported zones marked the first quarter of FY17 for the gender component. To achieve effective gender mainstreaming, Program Managers leading activities must first assess their own level of gender sensitivity and judge whether they are equipped to initiate gender sensitive changes. In support of this process, REGIS-ER undertook gender and resilience capacity building in staff to ensure better gender mainstreaming in operations and the reduction or resolution of gender disparities in resilience.
The project also organized field missions around the issue of “safe spaces” in Dori and in Maradi to improve support to teens ages 15 to 18 and young girls ages 10 to 14 in the areas of health, nutrition, hygiene and prevention of gender-based violence.
The following activities were implemented:
• Discussions to share, review and approve the gender strategy with all the staff in project- supported regions. (100% of staff in 7 regions present at the workshop approved the gender strategy and committed to implementing it.) • Self-assessment with staff on understanding gender and resilience (approximately 29% of staff in regions had a relatively clear understanding of gender, 65% confused the gender approach with the Women in Development approach and 6% had no opinion.) • Capacity building for 160 staff members on gender mainstreaming in programs and in the organizational culture of the project. • Provision of gender mainstreaming tools to staff in the 7 project-supported regions (the Harvard Analytical Framework [HAF], the Gender Analysis Framework, Gender Assessment Studies [GAS]) • Establishment of 7 regional focal points equipped with roadmaps. • Brief gender analysis by activity sector conducted by staff divided into groups during the training session (using the HAF/gender division of labor, production/reproduction – resources and benefits, participation in decision-making, social change –
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practical needs and strategic interests, equality and equity – influencing factors). • Discussions with teens, mentors and executing partners on “safe spaces” in the Maradi region with a consultant tasked with developing training models for teens.
Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) This quarter, SBCC activities focused on the following areas:
Revising the SBCC Strategy The SBCC strategy is currently being revised to meet project needs regarding:
• Integrating new orientations on communication platforms in P8: MtM, EdM and Learning and Support Groups for [Female] Adolescents (GASA). • Extending cross-cutting SBCC actions to other programs.
Interpersonal Communication Tools P8 counseling cards were revised this quarter to integrate new themes and include locally-appropriate images.
In Burkina Faso, EdM counseling cards were printed and provided to groups in the three project regions. Each Regional Program Manager (PMR) received a bundle of 12 counseling cards dealing with the following themes: nutrition for pregnant women, prenatal medical visits, nutrition for breastfeeding mothers, family planning and complementary foods. In addition to this package, each region received a kit with 600 action sheets (PAF sheets). Printing and distributing of counseling cards will continue into the next quarter. Counseling cards on hygiene and sanitation and MtM groups are now being finalized.
In Niger, counseling cards are currently being finalized and will be printed next quarter.
Producing Radio Programs and Series A radio program consisting of a radio series and mini-programs is currently in the final stages of production. Micro-broadcasts will be coordinated by the project’s communications department through local radio stations whereas production of the series will be outsourced to service providers that have already been selected through bids for tenders in both countries.
Community Video Approach The project has been working with SPRING to implement this approach. In Burkina Faso, seven themes for community video production were selected after discussion with SPRING’s national coordination committee: family planning, the importance of four antenatal visits, conservation and proper use of iodized salt, regular supplements of iron/folic acid, water purification techniques, managing PDCO production to prevent aflatoxin development and environmental hygiene and health to reduce the microbial load in homes. The regional team in Fada helped to put in place a system to approve videos for production.
In Niger this quarter, an exchange workshop brought together SPRING/Digital Green partners and the SBCC-SPRING consultant. The workshop dealt with mapping out SBCC activities in partner-supported ZOIs.
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Barrier Analysis In the first quarter, an analysis of barriers to consumption of goats’ milk in children ages 12 to 24 months in habbanayé villages was conducted in Maradi, Tillabéri, Balléyara and Zinder.
Sixteen data collection agents, eight PMRs from P1 and P8 and one PMN from Niger, were trained and tasked with pretesting questionnaires and collecting, processing and analyzing data. In total, 45 consumers and 45 non-consumers were interviewed. The barrier analysis report will be finalized next quarter.
Developing a Viral Video Dissemination Strategy Three viral videos were produced in Gulmancéma by Digital Media International (DMI) on the following themes: nutrition for pregnant women and the importance of rest, the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of an infant’s life and complementary foods for infants ages 6-24 months. A dissemination strategy for these videos using pico projectors was devised for the Sahel region (Dori) where the community video project has not been implemented. These videos will be broadcast in four Gulmancéma villages in Dori.
Communications Marketing Support for CBSPs Storefront posters advertising Artisan Rippers trained by the project were delivered in Niger. The nursery management manual has been printed for distribution during training.
In the Est region, REGIS-ER also provided support to kick off a poultry and small ruminant vaccination campaign organized by a private practice veterinarian in agreement with REGIS-AG. REGIS-ER assisted in building awareness in livestock producers and mobilizing them around animal health issues and vaccination through a discussion and debate that was followed by three personal testimonies broadcast on the radio.
Media Coverage and Visibility In October 2016, REGIS-ER published a success story on exclusive breastfeeding in the Nigerian daily, Le Sahel, as part of breastfeeding week, during which REGIS-ER teamed up with the Ministère de la Santé and other partners like UNICEF, WFP, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Save the Children and HC3N (Nigeriens Feeding Nigeriens).
Several events have garnered media coverage by local radio stations (awarding compost prizes, guided visits to CF fields, CF producer’s evaluation meetings, etc.). In the Maradi region, the Habbanayé operation in the Sabon Machi commune (distribution of 2000 red Maradi goats) was covered by Télé Sahel, Télé Dunia and Gyaré community radio in Kornaka.
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REGIS-ER ran a week-long information booth with REGIS-AG at the Foire de l’Indépendance in Kaya in December.
Finally, visibility kits (2 retractable banners and 2 banners) were produced to provide each region quality basic materials that can be reused on numerous occasions.
Knowledge Sharing The RISE newsletter September 2016 cover page (published in October) features an article on conservation farming in Niger. The Cooperative Business Journal from November 29 ran a REGIS-ER success story on the Habbanayé operation: http://ncba.coop/ncba-international/1651-paying-it- forward-the-habbanaye-way. Another article tracing one women’s path to resilience in the Maradi region was also published.
The conservation farming training manual was published online on NCBA CLUSA’s website and printed for widespread distribution in Burkina Faso and Niger. The dissemination strategy is well launched.
REGIS-ER also shared its experience and results in the area of resilience with partner projects in the region during the RISE/REGO Joint Partners' Collaboration Meeting in Ouagadougou in November, the Septième rencontre du Cadre de concertation des acteurs intervenant dans l'adaptation aux changements climatiques in Niamey and the meeting of actors for resilience in Centre-Nord, held on October 14, 2016 in Kaya under USAID|Burkina Faso auspicies.
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Sampling of outreach tools produced this quarter:
REGIS-ER retractable banner Poster boards on “local convention” and “nursery management” activities
Grants Management The grants program in the October – December period largely focused on supporting activities such as the construction and repair of boreholes and habbanayé which start to ramp up at this time of year.
In December 2016, one large grant equal to $187,496 was issued to the Observatoire National du Foncier au Burkina Faso (ONF-BF) to support land management and strengthen natural resource management across five REGIS-ER communes in Burkina Faso. Through this collaboration, it is anticipated that ONF-BF will carry out governance related activities that will contribute to improving land tenure security, creating sustainable land management bodies, and recording land rights by introducing the MAST land mapping tool.
The project has also received several grant applications which will be submitted for review during the January to March 2016 quarter.
Cost Share REGIS-ER has reported $3,391,576.37 in cost share as of December 31, 2016. The amount of cost share collected this quarter was $888,318. An additional $720,806 was reported this quarter, but had been
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 45
collected during the April to June 2016 and July to September 2016 quarters. An upward adjustment equal to $437,010 was also made to the total cost share previously reported following a revision of cost share unit costs to make them standardized. The previously reported cost share increased from $1,345,440.59 to $1,782,451.05.
Cost share collected during this quarter is largely attributed to CF and BDL activities in Niger.
Program Support This quarter the operational and financial support to the program continued to make adjustments in response to the project’s scaling-up to better adapt to the increase of activities in the regions.
Human Resources In addition to monitoring the correct implementation of labor regulations, the project continued recruitment for staff who left the project as well as for new posts created due to intensification of activities. Thus the total number of employees of the project is 199 for both countries.
The table below shows the project staff in both countries as of 31 December 2016:
Personnel Niger Burkina Total Site Faso Expatriate 2 1 3 At project HQ in Niamey and TCN (third country national) 2 1 3 Ouagadougou Country national – contracted by NCBA CLUSA 81 60 141 Central and regional office, Country national – contracted by partners 31 21 52 and field Total 116 83 199
In accordance with labor legislation, REGIS ER proceeded with the election and training of personnel delegates representing the NCBA CLUSA project staff in Niger on their roles and responsibilities.
Training Staff training focused on capacitating staff for their new roles under the new 8-program structure and the shift to regionalization. Trainings this quarter focused on the leadership skills of the PMNs and PMRs, and capacity building for PRLs/CBSPs and ATPs seeking to become PRL Coaches on several themes.
Administration, Finance, and Operations Assistance and support to technical staff in the application and enforcement of administrative and financial procedures continues to be efficient and effective. Efforts, including the evaluation of logistical needs in the regions, have led to reduced delays in the various procurement processes, resulting in the timely delivery of goods and services needed by the project to reach its objectives. • Determination of equipment needs such as 5 new vehicles and 30 motorcycles, obtaining USAID approval for these acquisitions. • Acquisition and distribution of 4,288 goats as part of the first phase of habbanayé in FY17. • Support for drilling boreholes in Niger and Burkina Faso by advertising for, selecting, and contracting with service providers.
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• Production and timely submission of accurate financial reports to USAID and NCBA CLUSA headquarters.
Tax Exemption Challenges in Niger NCBA CLUSA’s Country Agreement with the GoN (it’s the standard one for all international NGOs) does not guarantee tax exemptions for purchases of some goods and services required for project execution. In late December, the project submitted to the GoN a list of anticipated acquisitions in 2017 for approval by a joint (State of Niger-NGO) committee. To date, REGIS has not yet received approval and thus cannot yet procure duty-free the 2 vehicles and 30 motorcycles destined for Niger. This situation affects other operations in Niger such as the construction and rehabilitation of water points and the installation of gardens for women's groups.
Security The first quarter followed immediately upon a visit to Niger and to Burkina Faso from the Security Consultant. During his visit, Daniel Smith delivered general training to staff and specific training to drivers and motorcyclists. The security of project employees and assets was a key concern this quarter and has become an integral part of the project. REGIS-ER has increased security and communications. The focal point led several security activities this quarter.
REGIS ER has undertaken safety and security capacity building activities for its staff, including: • Drivers o The driver's code of conduct, o Daily verification (inspection) of the vehicle, o Travel planning and implementation. • The field agents (ATP) o The rules of conduct and caution for motorcyclists, o Safety-related equipment, o Test-driving.
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IV. Appendices Results Framework
RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3)
STRATEGIC OBJETCIVE 1: Increased and Sustainable Economic Well-Being
Intermediate Result 1.1: Diversified Economic Opportunities
1.1.1. Percentage of households reporting
increase in income from Total - - - - - off-farm economic opportunities
Total - - 165% 1.1.2. Number of jobs - - - 3,631 2,200 attributed to the Women - - implementation of - - - 2,812 REGIS-ER New - - - - -
Total 234% 1.1.3. Number of 3,182 - - - 3,182 43,612 20,000 individuals trained in Women skills relevant for off- 2,332 - - - 2,332 33,235 season labor New 271 - - - 271 2,256 Intermediate Result 1.2. Production and Marketing Scale up
Total 148% 4,523 - - - 4,523 113,700 80,000
Women 1.2.1. Number of 1,618 - - - 1,618 33,235 farmers who have
applied IMPROVED New 148 - - - 148 9,015 TECHNOLOGIES OR
MANAGEMENT CF 205 PRACTICES - - - 205 CES/DRS, BDL, Land-
use Management at 2,015 - - - 2,015 Village Level
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 48
RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3) Nurseries, Fruit trees, Irrigation, Improved 614 seeds, Market - - - 614 gardening Sanitation, Conserv. Harvests, Pasture fattening/Habbanaye,
Water point mgmt., 1,689 - - - 1,689 Mgmt. PO, Transform./Value added
Total 79% 392.31 - - - 392.31 31,087 40,000
Women 23.61 - - - 23.61 5,514 1.2.2. Number of CF hectares under 111.30 - - - 111.30 improved technologies CES/DRS, BDL, Land- or management use Management at 192.35 - - - 192.35 practices Village Level Nurseries, Fruit trees, Irrigation, Improved
seeds, Market 88.65 - - - 88.65 gardening
Total 60% 6,618 - - - 6,618 113,251 200,000
Women 1.2.3. Number of 3,841 - - - 3,841 71,823 individuals who have New 595 received short-term - - - 595 30,397 agricultural sector Producers productivity or food 6,163 - - - 6,163 100,067 security training People in 20 government - - - 20 199 CBSPs, Service 5 Providers - - - 5 150
1.2.4. Number of food Total 609 301% security private - - - 609 7,805 2,800 enterprises, producer Civil soc., NGOs, CBOs 11 organizations, water - - - 11 65 user associations, CBSPs 8 women's groups, trade - - - 8 39
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RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3) and business Cooperative 32 associations, and - - - 32 94 community-based MtM 175 organizations receiving - - - 175 1,344 USG assistance via CF 184 REGIS-ER - - - 184 2,605 BDL 2 - - - 2 365 Habbanaye 29 - - - 29 131 Poultry farming - - - - - 4 Animal fattening 14 - - - 14 65 Water management 21 committee - - - 21 74 Women’s group 31 - - - 31 1,516 NRM Committee - - - - - 366 SECCA 87 - - - 87 382 SCAP-RU / CVD - - - - - 7 COFOB / CFV - - - - - 31 COFOCOM / SFR ------EdM 30 - - - 30 190 Safe space (GASA) 1 - - - 1 23
1.2.5. Number of food Total 76 304% security private - - - 76 4,186 1,400 Civil soc., NGOs, CBOs enterprises, producer 3 organizations, water - - - 3 4 user associations, CBSPs 2 women's groups, trade - - - 2 2 and business Cooperative 5 associations, and - - - 5 126
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RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3) community-based MtM - - organizations who have - - - 137 applied IMPROVED CF 19 TECHNOLOGIES OR - - - 19 1,869 MANAGEMENT BDL - - PRACTICES - - - 402 Habbanaye 20 - - - 20 77 Poultry farming 1 - - - 1 3 Animal fattening 5 - - - 5 59 Water management - - committee - - - 5 Women’s group 1 - - - 1 809 NRM Committee - - - - - 203 SECCA 21 - - - 21 300 SCAP-RU / CVD ------COFOB / CFV ------COFOCOM / SFR ------EdM - - - - - 73 Safe space (GASA) ------1.2.6. Number of firms/enterprises/CBSPs involved in service provision and/or agricultural product Total (CBSPs) - - 19% transformation relating - - - 69 360 to food security now operating more profitably (at or above cost) 1.2.7. Number of Total 102% vulnerable households 15,116 - - - 15,116 188,992 200,000
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 51
RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3) benefitting directly Female head of 680 from USG interventions household - - - 680 9,356 via REGIS-ER New 3,016 - - - 3,016 70,398
Total - - - 1.2.8. Value of - - - 148,139 Market gardening incremental sales of - - campaign products - - - (collected at farm level) Food crops - - attributed to program - - - implementation Livestock and fish - - - - - Intermediate Result 1.3: Improved access to financial services
1.3.1 Value of Total 28% 38,432.54 - - - 38,432.54 926,196 3,500,000 agricultural and rural loans (in $USD) Women 35,544.68 - - - 35,544.68 566,148 1.3.2. Number of beneficiary households with access to formal or Total - - 5,101 - - - 5,101 24,803 community-based financial services 1.3.3. Number of active Total 189 74% informal savings and - - - 189 620 1,100 loan groups New 3 strengthened - - - 3 239
Total 19% 46,942.00 - - - 46,942.00 330,337 2,000,000 1.3.4. Value of savings accumulated by project Guarantee Fund 23,395.11 - - - 23,395.11 1,002 beneficiaries (in USD)
Other funds 23,546.90 - - - 23,546.90 - 1.3.5. Number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including farmers, Total 22 78% receiving USG - - - 22 565 750 assistance to access loans
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: Strengthened Governance and Institutions
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RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3)
Total - - 66% - - - 99 150 Commune Develop- - - 2.A. Number of ment Plan (PDC) - - - 1 community-level plans Management Plan for - - implemented with sub-zones - - - 38 NRM, conflict Management Plan for - - management or DRM village land - - - 29 components Local Conventions / - - PCOAS - - - 30 Contingency Plans ------2.B. Number of stakeholders with increased capacity to adapt to the impacts of Total 1740% 2,220 - - - 2,220 67,395 4,000 climate variability and change as a result of USG assistance Intermediate Result 2.1: Strengthened natural resource management 2.1.1. Number of institutions with improved capacity to Total 19 920% address climate change - - - 19 2,740 300 issues as a result of USG assistance
Total 341 495% 2.1.2. Number of - - - 341 5,593 1,200 community residents Women 35 participating in NRM - - - 35 2,336 meetings Youth (18-30ans) - - - - - 273 2.1.3. Number of hectares under natural Total - - 61% resource management - - - 764,859 1,250,000 plans Intermediate Result 2.2: Strengthened disaster risk management
Total - - 48% 2.2.1. Number of - - - 333 700 people trained in disaster preparedness Women - - - - - 47
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RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3) as a result of USG assistance 2.2.2. Number of communities with disaster early warning Total - - 16% and response (EWR) - - - 7 45 systems working effectively Intermediate Result 2.3: Strengthened Conflict Management
Total - - 37% 2.3.1. Number of - - - 149 400 conflict prevention Conflict prevention - - systems, conflict systems - - - 141 assessments, or Conflict assessments response mechanisms - - - - - 4 supported by USG Response assistance - - mechanisms - - - 4
Total - - 4% - - - 4 100
women/… - - 2.3.2. Number of - - - disputes mediated to youth/… - - the satisfaction of all - - - parties to the conflict Marginalized - - youth/… - - -
Other - - - - - Intermediate Result 2.4: Strengthened government and regional capacity and coordination
2.4.1. Number of local conventions integrated Total 0 0 0 0 0 2 20 0.1 into PDC/PCD
Total 356% 18.49 - - - 18.49 231 70 4D. Number of hectares of farmland registered Niger 18.49 - - - 18.49 in the name of women
Burkina Faso - - - - - STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: Improved health and nutritional status
Intermediate Result 3.1: Increased access to potable water
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 54
RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3)
Total ------53,679
Niger - - 3.1.1. Number of - - - 24,279 individuals with access Burkina Faso - - to an improved potable - - - 29,400 water source Wells ------
Boreholes - - - - - 38,479
Total - - - - - 194 465 42%
Niger - - - - - 96
Burkina Faso - - 3.1.1bis. Number of - - - 98 water points built or Wells built - - repaired through REGIS- - - - 20 ER Wells repaired ------Boreholes built - - - - - 76 Boreholes repaired - - - - - 98
Total 564 61% - - - 564 37,982 63,414
Niger 564 - - - 564 33,734
3.1.3. Number of Burkina Faso - - individuals with access - - - 4,248 to an improved Pit latrine with slab 564 sanitation facility - - - 564 11,024 Ventilated improved - - latrine - - - 3,654 Composting toilet ------
3.1.3bis. Number of Total 94 61% improved sanitation - - - 94 6,329 10,569 facilities built or Niger 94 repaired thanks to USG - - - 94 5,621
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RESULTS FRAMEWORK BY PERFORMANCE Quarters Annual Project Performance INDICATOR FOR FY2016-2017
Cumul Cumul Cumul % Year 4 Years Target Performance Indicators Disaggregations 1 2 3 4 Target (FY17) 1 to 3 Year 4 (1+2/3) (1) (2) (FY17) (3) assistance through Burkina Faso - - REGIS-ER - - - 708 Pit latrine with slab 94 - - - 94 4,058 Ventilated improved - - latrine - - - 2,492 Composting toilet - - - - - 811 Tippy Tap or 81 handwashing station - - - 81 2,118 Intermediate Result 3.2: Improved Health and Nutrition Practices
Total 139% 8,822 - - - 8,822 120,940 93,100
Niger 3.2.2. Number of 8,280 - - - 8,280 children under 5 Burkina Faso 542 reached by nutrition - - - 542 programs Girls 4,362 - - - 4,362 59,621
Boys 4,460 - - - 4,460 61,319
Total 104% 7,268 - - - 7,268 138,230 140,000 3.2.4. Number of Niger people trained in child 6,817 - - - 6,817 health and nutrition thanks to USG through Burkina Faso 451 - - - 451 REGIS-ER
Women 5,425 - - - 5,425 119,254 3.2.7. Percentage of target population who can state where they Total ------would go to get access to family planning
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REGIS-ER intervention zones The seven regions in which REGIS-ER intervenes are presented in the following map and table. Pink- shaded areas are REGIS-ER’s communes and red-shaded areas represent communes of our NGO partners, SOS Sahel International and AZND, and the blue-shaded areas are those of PASAM TAI. Our seven regions are Zinder, Maradi, Tillabéri (Niger); and Centre-Nord, Est, Sahel, and Nord (Burkina).
Regionalization was initiated in FY16 under the scaling-up strategy which increased the responsibilities of individual regional offices. The eight programs introduced in the entire project ZOI were tailored to the potential and opportunities in each region. As a result, the programs vary from one region to the next in scope and degree of application.
This section highlights the events and achievements specific to each region:
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Niger Tillabéri South A review of habbanayé livestock reported 80 births yielding 122 goat kids, including 64 bucks for the two waves of animal placement. The 6 auxiliary veterinarians were able to grow their businesses and earned 944,075 CFA ($1,573) in revenues based on 1,253 animals. However, an epidemic affected a portion of the second placement, which resulted in a loss of 70 animals. Measures were taken with regard to the SVPP's technical services and the project beneficiaries were instructed on how to treat the disease.
Home garden activities resumed in mid-November. During this period, which is a favorable growing season, seed nurseries were established in 10 villages identified as having potential for home gardens. A total of 581 full home gardens were set up, benefiting 488 children under the age of five. The products harvested are intended solely for household consumption. At times, they are offered as gifts to parents, friends and acquaintances; however, the products are rarely sold at the local markets. In addition, the project supported communities in obtaining six gift deeds to complete an oasis garden.
The CBSP responsible for home garden training provided access to seeds for 43 group sites and 20 individual sites, resulting in 2,637,000 CFA ($4,395) collected from producers and 325,000 CFA ($542) earned in profits. The main CBSP in charge of PDCO cuttings delivered 8,800 cuttings on behalf of the seven other CBSP cutting producers for the Maradi, Zinder, Tillabéri North and Balléyara regions. It must be noted that this second PDCO producer for the Tillabéri South Region recently seeded an area totaling 550 m².
The six SECCA groups from Tagazar were able to share 1,287,000 CFA ($2,146) at the end of their savings/credit cycle. The credit issued during the quarter totaled 6,150,000 CFA ($10,250) and benefited 122 members. In addition, a total of 3,865,000 CFA ($6,442) in warrantage credit was issued to 27 members and orders were prepared for 22 tons of millet and cowpea.
The 2016 CF yield assessments conducted by the GoN’s Departmental Directorate for Agriculture (Direction Départementale de l’Agriculture, or DDA) confirmed the impressive comparative yields:
Average yield in kg/ha CF Non-CF CF Non-CF CF Non-CF millet millet sorghum sorghum cowpea cowpea Average for Tillabéri South 632 336 1,212 463 408 185
The evaluation of production levels on the BDL sites is currently being completed. The production summary for the 12 BDL sites whose evaluations have been completed reports: okra (7,682 kg); sorrel (3,120 kg); and senna (1,690 kg). A total of 24 villages benefited from the grants for CES/DRS projects. A total of 31,321,405 CFA ($52,202) was provided in support of 2,909 beneficiaries.
With respect to water access, eight points were verified, including three boreholes and five wells. To develop the populations’ capacity to independently and sustainably manage the water services, ten water point management committees (CGPEs) were established and given training and kits.
Tillabéri North The Habbanayé monitoring this quarter reported the following: 13 deaths, including four bucks; 157 pregnant does; and 208 kids including 83 bucklings and 125 doelings. For the second placement, 146
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 58 animals were placed in four villages following quarantine. The AEs (identified by REGIS-ER) working on behalf of the Tillabéri SVPP network collected a total of 396,750 CFA ($661) in revenue following the vaccination and treatment of 2,497 animals.
The women gardeners from the villages of Diamballa, Mara, Weila and Boukou made group purchases of approximately 4.5 kg of vegetable seeds (onion, cabbage, tomato and lettuce) totaling more than 225,000 CFA ($375). These group purchases, which began during the last growing season, earn women producers’ organizations (OPs) independence and a voice in seed pricing.
A total of 1,100 orange-fleshed sweet potato (PDCO) cuttings were placed with the CBSP in charge of PDCO cuttings in the village of Assani (Kourtheye). PCDO cuttings producers received the cuttings and then planted them to produce additional cuttings in order to grow the CBSP’s business and, more importantly, ensure that PDCO cuttings are available in all project intervention zones in the region.
In the communes of Kourtheye and Sakoira, 446 members, including 432 women from 29 formal and informal groups, as well as one CBSP in charge of manioc cuttings, received loans totaling 14,425,000 CFA ($24,042) including $16,508 from MFI Kokari and $7,534 from SECCA.
The production levels of the 44 BDL sites in the communes of Sakoira and Kourtheye was evaluated. A first analysis estimates current production at 22.9 tons of okra, 7.67 tons of senna and 18.68 tons of sorrel.
To develop the capacities of populations/elected local officials to manage the water services in an independent and sustainable manner, 31 elected local officials were trained on managing the commune- level installation for the two communes. In addition, 60 operators of market garden sites were trained on water potabilization techniques. Water quality monitoring for the works completed as part of the project involved sampling water for bacteriological and physico-chemical analysis.
Zinder The project placed 215 goats (195 females and 20 males), and provided 16.25 tons of wheat bran. It also supported the transfer of 43 goats to support 33 beneficiaries as part of the 2015 habbanayé cycle. Through the goat habbanayé this quarter, livestock assets from the second wave of the 2016 habbanayé were placed to support 65 beneficiaries from the five villages, including two villages in Droum Commune and three villages in Bandé Commune. During the transfer of animal assets, 67 goats were loaned to 49 beneficiaries.
A vaccinator (FVV) from Kaba trained four distributors (people who buy products from her to sell in their villages) who live in villages outside the REGIS zone (Inguelma, Zangouna, Garin Lami and Madatchi) where there are 111 producers who use the FVV products.
With the goal of guaranteeing the availability of orange-fleshed sweet potato cuttings in Zinder, two CBSPs in charge of PDCO cuttings were provided with the initial seeds for multiplication. Each CBSP replanted an area of 500 m2. This area will grow to 2,500 m2 in the coming months. The CBSPs in charge of manioc cuttings make high-yield varieties available in the intervention zone. In addition, two schools were identified for the installation of school gardens.
The evaluation of the CF 2016 growing season continued to raise awareness for the preparation of the CF 2017 growing season. The installation of composters and the mobilization of fertilizer contributions
USAID|REGIS-ER FY2017 Q1 REPORT page 59 showed particularly notable results. It was agreed that fertilizers given as input support to the different CF/FMNR groups for the CF 2016 growing season would be reimbursed at the group level. The amounts reimbursed will allow the groups to finance the purchase of fertilizer for future growing seasons. To this end, the relays encouraged the groups to open 122 savings accounts, a number of producers have already begun reimbursing their CF/FMNR groups. In addition, two relays were trained, in collaboration with REGIS-AG, on cowpea conservation techniques using PICS sacks. The successes recorded in previous growing seasons (2015, 2016) for CF and BDL have attracted the interest of a number of women’s BDL groups and other groups with regard to CF. A total of 974 producers living in 33 villages outside the REGIS-ER ZOI have already expressed interest in CF/FMNR and BDL.
To develop the populations’ capacity to manage water services in an independent and sustainable manner, 51 members from 17 water point management committees (CGPEs) were trained on managing and maintaining the water points. Thirty-two elected local officials also received training on managing the communal services for the two communes. In addition, the project followed up with the certified villages and operations began in 11 villages.
Maradi Through the Habbanayé operation, 2,000 goats were placed with 548 beneficiaries in 25 villages in Sabon Machi Commune. This distribution received extensive media coverage and saw the participation of the WFP and government technical services, as well as administrative and traditional authorities who applauded this commendable project initiative. Project beneficiaries also received 119 tons of wheat bran to feed the animals. The Habbanayé beneficiaries and the producers trained are amongst the most vulnerable community members, primarily the elderly and women, many of whom are handicapped, as specified by the criteria for choosing beneficiaries. Some women who provide services in the field, in addition to producing and selling mineral blocks (BMND), are already beginning to see an impact (the case of vaccinators, for example).
The installation of full home gardens in the commune of Guidan Roumdji has continued with the introduction of new crops (corn and cowpea): 77 new home gardens were set up, which brings the total number to 621. In addition, corn production is planned in the plant beds that contained senna and cowpea production is planned in the plant beds that contained sorrel. In total, 200 producers established two new crops (corn and cowpea).
Despite a rather unsuccessful growing season in the region due to irregular rainfall, the producers who adopted CF/FMNR were able to derive benefit from their efforts. The setup of yield test plots, assigned to the government’s DDA, was completed according to national standards. The following comparative yields were noted:
Millet Cowpea Sorghum CF Non-CF CF Non-CF CF Non-CF Yield (kg/ha) 2,168 1,056 808 664 1,208 756
An inter-community awareness-raising forum was held with local actors at a meeting on shared resources and the prevention of land disputes. The forum brought together 170 participants including village chiefs, civil society, technical services, the canton chief, the mayor and the prefect.
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A total of 29 elected local officials, including 12 in Sabon Machi and 17 in Guidan Roumdji, were trained on managing commune facilities (water and purification) on December 8-10 and December 11-13, 2016, respectively, in both communes.
Cooking demonstrations using local foods, balanced according to children's nutritional needs, were held throughout the zone. A total of 98 MtM groups received a nominal amount of 2,500 CFA ($4) per group. The amount is used to buy the missing ingredients needed to prepare meals, including: millet/ sorghum tô (paste) enriched with cow's milk butter and leafy greens; sorghum couscous with vegetables; rice with peanut sauce and meat; millet tô with an oil and okra sauce; and porridge enriched with sour milk, sugar and oil.
Burkina Faso The project’s second General Assembly (AG) of the year, one of the key events of the quarter, was held in Burkina Faso from November 8 to 10, 2016. The theme, “PRLs and CBSPs”, provided a framework for clearly defining concepts and our approach to PRLs and CBSPs during project scale-up. The AG, a venue for both festive and serious exchanges, brought together 110 participants, including all the project personnel in Burkina Faso, a large delegation from the Niger team and participants from NCBA CLUSA headquarters and other consortium member organizations.
Centre-Nord (Kaya) Evaluation meetings held at the end of the growing season on CF practices integrated into FMNR were not limited solely to comparing productivity. They were also used to promote integration through questions on good nutrition practices. Taste tests comparing dishes prepared using bio-fortified and local varieties of millet were organized in order to build more enthusiasm for production and consumption of bio-fortified millet in project-supported households. This built participant awareness of the nutritional value of iron- and zinc-enriched millet. The results of the taste tests showed a preference for bio-fortified millet over the local variety.
In addition to SECCA activities, CF-FMNR (P4) and habbanayé groups were provided information about and put into contact with MFIs for opening accounts and gaining access to credit to develop and guarantee the sustainability of activities.
Communities in Bouroum Commune conducted and validated resource assessments for the CL, which represented significant progress in the CL process and laid the groundwork for setting out management regulations, the next-to-last operational step.
Over 50 home gardens were set up this quarter in the village of Damkarko 1 in Bouroum Commune.
Est (Fada) CF evaluation meetings seconded by scientific follow-up data showed that yields from the 2015/2016 growing season were better than the previous season. This indicates a better command and proper application of technology among increasing numbers of farmers. This year a documentary film recorded CF-FMNR activity. The film captured its many components, including composting, awarding a composting prize, ripping, farming stages, guided visits and evaluation meeting. The final scenes where shot at evaluation meetings in the Manni zone.
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SECCA mobilized savings volumes totaling 289,000 CFA ($482). Savings this quarter, combined with previous savings, enabled 21 SECCA groups to make loans totaling 1,560,000 CFA ($2,600) to their members, which resulted in profits of 460,000 CFA ($767).
Zone committees and steering committees reviewed and approved local conventions in Manni and Gayéri Communes. This is the final step in the process before conventions are reviewed and adopted by the Municipal Councils, the communes’ decision-making bodies.
In November 2016, the USAID|Burkina Faso Agriculture Officer conducted a preparatory mission in the RISE zone to identify field visits for the RISE Portfolio Review mission scheduled for the end of January 2017. The mission involved the REGIS-ER, REGIS-AG, FASO and ViM Projects, and WFP. The visit focused on collaborative actions undertaken by RISE partners. REGIS-ER actively contributed to organizing the mission, which received positive feedback from USAID and from all the RISE partners working in the Est and Centre-Nord regions.
Sahel (Dori) The transfer of habbanayé poultry assets were made in two project-supported villages, Dowendou and Ouro Tiaguél. Of 12 producers who received poultry in 2015, 11 have passed on 10 hens and one rooster to 11 secondary beneficiaries. In spite of delays, this transfer represents major progress; the lessons learned will be taken into account in future operations. Habbanayé goats were placed in six villages in the Sahel region.
As part of preparations for the 2016-2017 CF growing season, 31 groups were trained in composting for a total of 304 participants, of whom 34 were women
Following several discussions aimed at strengthening partnership with technical services, MOUs with the DREA (the Regional Directorate for Water and Sanitation) were drafted on training to be given to Repair Artisans (AR) for water sources equipped with human-powered pumps and on overseeing borehole rehabilitation and/or construction of new water points. The terms of collaboration were accepted by DREA/ Sahel.
In terms of hygiene and sanitation (P7), the project conducted the triggering phase of CLTS and set up Village Salubrity Committees (CVS) in all 15 of the target villages identified.
Efforts to promote good health and nutrition practices included training for husband school (EdM) coaches on eight discussions to be led with members. Twenty EdM leaders in 10 villages (two villages in Sebba; eight in Solhan) were trained to lead the eight discussions with husbands in their groups in order to incite them to take the 10 small doable actions (PAFs). This EdM awareness-building bolstered involvement from men in managing family health, nutrition and hygiene.
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