LFSP—APN in Newsletter

Agriculture Productivity and Nutrition (APN) component of LFSP is managed by the

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations

January, 2015 - June, 2015 Welcome to LFSP – APN

entire four-year programme In this issue that is being implemented through three main compo-  LFSP launched, a four year nents namely: journey begins An Agricultural Productivity  ENTERPRIZE project highlights and Nutrition (APN) compo-  EXTRA project brief nent being managed by the FAO is funded to the tune of  INSPIRE project highlights US$48 million with the ob-  Rural Finance rolls out jective of raising smallhold- er farm productivity by in-  M&E Strategy workshop en- troducing improved and climate smart Welcome to the first issue of the hances common understand- agricultural practices, access to fi- Livelihood Food and Security Pro- ing of LFSP nance and markets and promote pro- gramme – Agriculture Productivity duction and consumption of safer and and Nutrition (LFSP-APN) newsletter Extension and Advisory Services, more nutritious foods. which will be published by FAO Rural Finance, Strategic Partners and twice a year. The newsletter is one of A Market Development (MD) com- Government counterparts. In addition the various platforms through which ponent being managed by GRM with the product will be enriched through the programme will share information the objective of linking smallholder close collaboration with GRM and and developments. farmers to profitable commercial Coffey, the other LFSP management markets as well as to stimulate de- organisations and their partners. This first issue comes at a very oppor- mand and supply of affordable nutri- tune time, when the LFSP-APN has We trust this newsletter will contrib- tious foods. made significant strides by way of ute to the development and nurturing setting up the programme structures The Monitoring, Reporting and Eval- of relationships within different com- and systems . I would like to thank uation activities being managed by ponents of the programme in all the DFID, our funding partner for the Coffey to facilitate internal lesson targeted areas. support that will enable us to reach learning throughout the programme’s Thank you all more than 126 965 farming families lifetime. Ali Said in the eight districts. The biannual newsletter is a product This has been made possible through of the LFSP-APN family which in- Chief Technical Advisor – LFSP- the availing of US$72 million for the cludes implementing partners of the APN

1 LFSP-APN COMPONENTS IN BRIEF

The LFSP- APN component is an- development and market linkages, enterprise diversification, productivity chored on three strategic sub compo- strengthening of farmer groups/ -enhancing technologies and non-farm nents to deliver the programme goals organizations, and access to communi- economic activities and livelihood and these are: ty-based microfinance. The component strategies contributing to food securi- will be implemented in partnership ty. This will be achieved by both en- Extension and Advisory Services with three NGO consortiums led by hancing the capacity of communal (EAS) subcomponent that will apply Goal, World Vision International and farmers to save while ensuring that the innovative strategies for extension and Welthungerhilfe and comprising a farmers are indeed able to access fi- advisory services that particularly em- combination of 12 international and nancial services. phasize the principles of participation, national NGOs and a CG centre to im- pluralism, client orientation, environ- Knowledge Management and Evi- plement field level activities for the ment friendly and gender mainstream- dence Generation (KEG) subcompo- programme. ing. The extension and advisory ser- nent focusing on overall programme vices (EAS) span beyond the confines Rural Finance (RF) sub component coordination, monitoring and evalua- of agronomic and animal husbandry that will mobilize resources to enable tion, evidence generation, knowledge advice to include nutrition, business smallholder farmers to invest in farm management and communication. Extension & Advisory Services Project Summaries ENTERPRIZE INSPIRE EXTRA The Ensuring Nutrition, Trans- The INSPIRE (Increased Nutri- The Extension and Training for forming and Empowering Rural tion, Sustainable Production for Rural Agriculture (EXTRA) pro- Farmers and Promoting Resilience Increased Resilience and Econom- ject is being implemented by a con- in Zimbabwe (ENTERPRIZE) ic Growth) consortium is made up sortium of 5 NGOs - Welthun- project is being implemented by a of GOAL, Practical Action, Sus- gerhilfe (Lead), Community Tech- consortium led by World Vision tainable Agriculture Technology nology Development Organisation Zimbabwe and consisting of Inter- (SAT) and Technoserve (TNS). (CTDO), Heifer Project Interna- national Crop Research Institute The project is being implemented tional (HPI) and ICRISAT. EX- for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in , Makoni and Mutasa TRA is being implemented in the Mercy Corps, and Farmer Associa- districts of in the following tion of Community Self-Help In- districts:- Gokwe South, vestment Group (FACHIG). and .

LFSP-APN EAS Family 2 LSFP Launched a four year journey begins

Officials at the LFSP launch Ambassador Catriona Laing delivering her speech at the launch

The United Kingdom’s Department the Minister for Agriculture, Mecha- est people in Zimbabwe”. for International Development (DFID) nization and Irrigation Development FAO Subregional Coordinator for on March 19 2015 officially launched during the national launch ceremony, Southern Africa and Representative a USD $72 million four-year pro- Honourable Paddy Zhanda, the Depu- for Zimbabwe, Chimimba David Phiri gramme which aims to increase agri- ty Minister Responsible for Livestock speaking at the launch said: “FAO is cultural productivity, increase in- said, “My Ministry leads the Food excited to be a major partner in imple- comes, improve food and nutrition Security and Nutrition cluster of the menting this programme. It presents a security, and reduce poverty in rural Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable unique opportunity to roll out innova- Zimbabwe. The Food and Agricul- Socio Economic Transformation tive approaches that respond to the ture Organization of the United Na- (ZIMASSET) and it is in this frame- needs of the majority of Zimbabweans tions (FAO) and GRM International work that I commend and welcome that depend on a productive agricul- are responsible for managing the initiatives such as the Livelihoods and tural sector to survive and thrive”. Livelihoods and Food Security Pro- Food Security Programme (LFSP) gramme (LFSP) with Coffey provid- that offer an opportunity to a wide Speaking at the launch, GRM Interna- ing the overall monitoring , reporting range of stakeholders to contribute to tional Programme Director Jorgen and evaluation for the programme. the attainment of household and na- Hansen underlined importance of tional food security and nutrition markets saying: “Smallholder farmers LFSP seeks to improve the lives of goals”. need to actively participate in local smallholder farmers in eight rural dis- and regional market driven food sys- tricts across Zimbabwe in Makoni, Head of DFID Zimbabwe, Annabel tems, creating food security, stronger Mutare and Mutasa Districts of Mani- Gerry said, “DFID believes in ending linkage to markets and increased in- caland province, Kwekwe, Gokwe aid dependency through job creation. come generation.” South and Shurugwi districts in Mid- This programme will enable rural lands province and two districts, communities to become self- Following the national launch provin- Guruve and Mt Darwin in Mashona- sufficient, growing their own food, cial launches of the three cluster pro- land Central province. The pro- and providing an income. In partner- grammes were held. In Midlands gramme will target 126 975 small- ship with FAO, GRM and Coffey we province, the Extension and Training holder farming households in these believe the programme will make a for Rural Agriculture (EXTRA) pro- areas. In a speech read on behalf of huge difference for some of the poor- ject lead by Welthungerhilfe was

3 LSFP Launched a four year journey begins

(ZFU)) and key LFSP-APN in line with the Government of Zimba- Partners (FAO, GRM Inter- bwe’s commitment to move away national, EXTRA Consorti- from humanitarian interventions that um). In Manicaland prov- only address the immediate needs of ince, the Increased Nutri- the communities and focus on longer- tion, Sustainable Production term resilience, which is driven by the for Increased Resilience and local context. Consortium partners, Economic Growth district and provincial heads of various (INSPIRE) project lead by Government departments, the local GOAL was officially and provincial political and traditional launched on 24 April 2015 leadership as well as representatives Delegates follow a sketch by Sabhuku Vharazipi during the launch at Dope High School in ward from the private sector attended the launched, on 16 April. The launch was 23 of by the Minister provincial launch. In Mashonaland officiated by a representative of the for Provincial Affairs; Honourable central province, the consortium led by Resident Minister’s Office and attend- Mandi Chimene. Honourable Chimene World Vision International held a pro- ed by representatives from Govern- pledged full support for the project to vincial inception workshop for the En- ment departments which include, , the ensure it attained results and to facili- suring Nutrition, Transforming and Provincial Administration Office, the tate a conducive environment for pro- Empowering Rural Farmers and Pro- Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisa- gramme delivery. moting Resilience in Zimbabwe tion and Irrigation Development (ENTERPIZE) in on the 19th She also highlighted that the project is (MAMID), Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union of February 2015. ENTERPRIZE Project highlights The overarching strategy of EN- the government guaranteed to support components of the project. The aim is TEPRIZE is to mobilise and support ENTERPRIZE project implementation. to promote production of a wide variety multi-stakeholder partnerships and The project has successfully created of food and encouraging farmers to use community-based groups, mechanisms to income gained from the farming enter- work within existing sys- ENTERPRIZE Contact Details allow for nutri- prises to buy nutritious foods from the tems to stimulate demand tion sensitive local markets and improve their house- Main Office for and support equitable agriculture holds’ access to clean safe water and 59 Joseph Rd (off Nursery Road) access to private and pub- through inte- improved sanitation facilities, both of Mt Pleasant, lic products and services grating the which are critical to improving nutri- which contribute to lasting 04-301172/8 369027/8 nutrition sen- tion. In addition the project will also improvements in the Mt Darwin sitive agricul- promote behaviour change for im- productivity, profitability, Stand Number 35 Kandeya Township ture principles proved nutrition using the Care Group resilience and nutrition of Mt Darwin in the Exten- Model – targeting children aged 6 – 24 small holder farmers. The Guruve sion and Ad- months and promoting consumption of project was well received Stand Number 252 Agribank Complex visory Ser- varied, nutritious diets. The project to by government partners P O Box 126 vices and improve the food and nutrition security from national level down Guruve Market Devel- status of 25 500 farming families in Mt to community level where opment sub- Darwin and Guruve districts.

4 INSPIRE Project Highlights

The consortium is targeting 74 513 community health workers (CHW) have already started working and are households in Mutare, Mutasa and capacitated to deliver behaviour receiving relevant training.GOAL has Makoni districts. To achieve the de- change communication while at the the overall grant management respon- sired production levels by the end of same time increasing communities’ sibility and is the technical lead on the programme, extension service pro- knowledge and awareness on diversi- nutrition, livestock and M&E compo- viders will be capacitated to respond fied production of nutritious foods, nents of the project. Practical Action is effectively to women and men farm- preservation techniques as well as post directly coordinating activities in Mu- ers’ changing needs and environments. -harvest management technologies and tasa district and is the technical lead in Resilient crop production systems will positive nutrition and health behav- participatory extension approaches be developed through promotion of ioural practices. Behaviour change is (PEA), participatory market systems appropriate climate smart agriculture key in this intervention. development (PMSD) and community and commercialisation will be based microfinance institutions The project will ensure increased ac- achieved by improving the ability of (CBMFI). SAT is coordinating activi- cess to inclusive financial services farmers to meet quality and quantity ties in while providing through access to timely information requirements of local and international Extension Advisory Services and improved buyers. The organisational capacities INSPIRE Contact Details technical expertise as well as knowledge of of farmers will be improved so that field work for Mutare district market re- Main Office they are aware of the services availa- and horticultural production and quirements 73 Harare Drive ble to them such as extension to in- development of agribusiness among farm- crease their production and productivi- Mt Pleasant, hubs. Technoserve will facilitate ers. Village ty manage risk and adapt to natural, Tel: 263 (04)-301216 linkages to markets in response Savings and economic and socio political shocks. to farmers’ needs as well as fa- Loan Associa- Mutare Farmers will be organised in groups to cilitate output linkages and agro tions (VSALS) 4A Aerodrome road benefit from economies of scale, im- -dealers. TNS will also lead in and Internal Tel:263(020)61484 proved negotiating power when en- mobile technology innovation, Savings and gaging with other market actors to get Makoni drawing on learning from Prac- Lending fair value for their produce. tical Action’s PMSD approach Schemes 272 Trait Road ,, with farmers and combining this To address malnutrition challenges, (ISALS) Mutasa with broader market and finan- the project will be implemented in a which are in Stand Number 73, cial analysis. nutrition sensitive manner. The nutri- existence in Mutasa DC tion component will be driven through the districts

Honourable Mandi Chimene, Manicaland Minister of State Left: A community member provides entertainment with GOAL Country Director Kelly McAulay during the INSPIRE launch 5 EXTRA Project Brief

The EXTRA consortium com- and utilization of nutrient-rich bines a high presence in the target foods, innovative financial access Main Office districts with extensive experi- instrumants for farmers, profita- Arundel Office Park , ence in extension in the target ble farming enterprises, linkage Block 8, 5 Norfolk road districts, and elsewhere in Zimba- to formal markets and research Gokwe South bwe and internationally EXTRA for policy advocacy. This will be Stand 36 Light industrial is a food and nutrition security achieved by supporting farmers Gokwe Centre project which targets 48 436 to access relevant information smallholder farming households, and skills though an improved Kwekwe Government extension staff in and pluralistic extension system RDC office Zhombe Gokwe South, Shurugwi and Shurugwi Kwekwe districts, Community Chachacha office , Based Trainers (CBTs) and Pri- Hanke Road , Chachacha growth vate sector companies to link point, farmers to the markets and pro- vide extension. The aim of the 19 Kopje Road , Kopje, project is to improve food and nutrition security for women and Gweru men farmers in the three districts through provision of extension services. The extension services Delegates to the EXTRA launch sharing notes Voices from the field: Expectations will be on production systems of the target beneficiaries

“We got a small loan, US$2 500 from a finan- cial institution. We would have wanted as much as US$5 000, to enable us to restock. In addi- tion, we would be able to buy a truck which will reduce our will be able to buy inputs at a Delegates who attended the launch of EXTRA lower price ” Elias Matongo an agrodealer

6 LFSP-APN RURAL FINANCE Component in Brief

The Rural Finance (RF) sub com- and strengthen existing ones in ad- lack of funding for Microfinance ponent will mobilize resources to dition to other community based Institutions (MFIs), SACCOS and enable smallholder farmers to in- MFIs (including savings clubs, VI- value chain actors by providing vest in farm enterprise diversifica- COBAs and rural SACCOs) that loanable funds through Zimbabwe tion, productivity-enhancing tech- have potential to grow in member- Microfinance Wholesale Facility nologies and non-farm economic ship. The RF sub component has (ZMWF) for on-lending. The par- activities and livelihood strategies three instruments, the technical as- tial guarantee facility is designed to contributing to food security. This sistance facility, the partial guaran- address high perceived risks by will be achieved by both enhancing tee facility and the refinance facili- commercial Banks in order to ex- the capacity of communal farmers ty. Technical assistance providers pand their lending to small holder to save while ensuring that the have been contracted to support FIs farmers and value chain actors. The farmers are indeed able to access and MFIs in designing, introducing guarantee facility is being setup in financial services. In partnership and scaling up of financial services collaboration with DCA USAID. with the EAS IPs, the RF subcom- to small holder farmers including To date six technical assistance ser- ponent component will also support women and youths. The refinance vice providers to work with finan- the establishment of new ISALs facility is designed to address the cial institutions to develop rural Technical assistance providers’ contracts

TA PARTNER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DISTRICT TO BE COVERED

MEDA Virl Mutasa, Mutare

MEDA MicroKing Kwekwe, Makoni, Mutare, Shurugwi

CARE Microplan Guruve, Mt Darwin, Mutasa, Mutare, Makoni

CARE CBZ Bank Mt Darwin, Guruve, Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Gokwe South

SNV Steward Bank All 8 LFSP districts

AYANI Untu Gokwe South, Kwekwe and Shurugwi

7 Coffey presented the outline of the infor- M&E Strategy Workshop enhances mation management system to be used to track programme progress, which when common understanding of LFSP operational will ensure that programme activities are adequately monitored and an reported on. Other items on the line-up included a presentation of implementing partner monitoring and evaluation capacity needs assessment undertaken by Coffey. The assessment noted the implementing part- ners have experience in monitoring and evaluating large programmes and also that the programme has an appropriate level of staffing and funding for monitoring and evaluation. GRM presented on the Market Develop- ment component of the programme and the workshop concluded by developing the next steps including the nature and Participants to the workshop doing the ‘pencil exercise’ aimed at building trust and understanding timing of the programme level baseline to Implementing a programme of the magni- opportunity to share preliminary findings be undertaken by Coffey. tude of the Livelihoods and Food Security of the baseline analysis undertaken in the Commenting on the workshop, FAO Programme (LFSP) requires a shared un- programme areas. The baseline survey M&E Head, Douglas Magunda said the derstanding of its components for a com- revealed that smallholder farmers in the workshop had gone on well. “The work- mon vision. As such, a three day work- target districts have some appreciation of shop was ground breaking for LFSP as a shop to develop a shared understanding of basic concepts from previous interven- programme in that it was the first time to the LFSP- APN (Agricultural Productivi- tions including internal savings and lend- bring together LFSP teams across compo- ty and Nutrition) Monitoring and Evalua- ing methodology, group management, and nents, thematic areas, clusters, the donor tion Strategy, key methodologies to meas- farming as a business among other topics. and counterparts in government. Stake- ure impact and the theory of change un- Therefore the programme will assess the holders acknowledged the value of the derpinning the programme was held in utility and effectiveness of the training workshop, there was consensus on the May. already received to inform the content and need for the findings to inform pro- delivery of subsequent trainings. The workshop also provided partners with gramme implementation,” said Magunda.

LFSP—APN Extension & Advisory Services (EAS) Implementing Partners

For more information contact

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Block 1, Tendeseka Office Park,

Cnr Samora Machel Ave and Renfrew Rd, Eastlea, Harare

Phone: +263 4 252021-83, Fax: +263 4 700724, E-mail: [email protected]