Quarterly Report FY2019: January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019

Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership

Submission Date: April 30, 2019

Agreement Number: AID-620-LA-17-00002 Activity Start Date and End Date: June 8, 2017 – June 5, 2020 AOR Name: Olagoke Akinlabi

Victoria Uwadoka Nestlé Nigeria PLC 22-24, Industrial Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria

Submitted by: Chris Hert CNFA 1828 L Street NW, Suite 710 Washington, DC 20005 DISCLAIMER This report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of CNFA and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Table of Contents LIST OF ACRONYMS...... 3 1.1 Program Description/Introduction...... 4 1.2.1 Summary of Results...... 4 Quarter 1 Progress against FY 2019 targets ...... 4 1.2.2 Summary of Results to Date...... 5 2. ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS ...... 5 2.1 Progress Narrative ...... 5 2.2 Implementation Status ...... 6 Beneficiary Trainings ...... 6 Mobile Testing of Grains...... 7 Radio Program...... 7 Training Material Development ...... 7 2.3 Implementation challenges...... 8 3. INTEGRATION OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND USAID FORWARD PRIORITIES ...... 10 3.1 Gender Equality and Female Empowerment ...... 10 3.2 Sustainability Mechanisms...... 10 3.3 Environmental Compliance ...... 10 3.4 Youth Development ...... 10 3.5 Policy and Governance Support...... 11 3.6 Local Capacity Development ...... 11 3.7 Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Global Development Alliance (GDA) Impacts...... 11 3.8 Conflict Mitigation ...... 11 3.9 Science, Technology, and Innovation Impacts...... 12 4. STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT ...... 12 5. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES ...... 12 6. LESSON LEARNED ...... 12 7. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER INCLUDING UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 12 8. WHAT DOES USAID AND NESTLÉ NOT KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO?...... 14

LIST OF ACRONYMS

CBO Community Based Organization EA Extension Agent IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute KADA Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency LGA Local Government Area NYSC National Youth Service Corps PIATA Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa project STA Senior Technical Advisor SUAP Safer Use Action Plan

1. PROGRAM OVERVIEW/SUMMARY

Activity Name Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership Activity Start Date and End Date June 8, 2017 – June 5, 2020 Name of Prime Implementing Partner CNFA Agreement Number AID-620-LA-17-00002 Name of Subcontractors/Sub-awardees Purdue University Major Counterpart Organizations Nestlé Geographic Coverage Kaduna State, Nigeria Value Chain Coverage Maize and Soy Reporting Period January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019

1.1 Program Description/Introduction The Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership between USAID/Nigeria and Nestlé Nigeria, PLC aims to enhance quality, safety, and transparency in Nigeria’s grain supply chain through a whole-of-supply-chain approach. CNFA is the prime recipient of the USAID award and Nestlé agreement. This report covers a period of January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019.

The project works with multiple stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, input suppliers, grain aggregators, Nestlé, and local governments to improve the quality and quantity of maize and soy in the Kaduna State by decreasing levels of aflatoxins, fumonisins, and aluminum. This is being done through a comprehensive mapping exercise that identifies areas of high levels of contaminants followed by training and support at each level of the supply chain to reduce levels of contamination to meet high quality standards set by Nestlé. Training curriculums will be developed in conjunction with Nestlé, as well as partner Purdue University. Over 20,000 beneficiaries will be trained by project staff and local volunteers in effective mitigation measures to reduce the levels of targeted contaminants in maize and soy, increasing the available supply of safe, high quality maize and soy.

1.2.1 Summary of Results

Quarter 2 Progress against FY 2019 targets A total of 7,724 (3,552 continuing, 4,172 new) participants benefited directly from the program during the quarter. A total of 4,172 new beneficiaries received training from the project this quarter. This included 1,329 (416 male, 913 female; 354 youth) community based organization (CBO) members, 220 laborers, 4 grain merchants, 15 non-Nestlé aggregators, 20 agro-input dealers, and 2,584 (1,705 male, 879 female; 658 youth) farmers. The trainings were on methods of detection of aflatoxin, fumonisins, and aluminum as well as on harvesting and post-harvest handling of grains to ensure high quality grains. A total of 3,552 old beneficiaries were paid visits by 76 extension agents (EAs) to ensure that they were following the trainings they received

4 from the project on the post-harvest handling of grains. During this quarter the project continued broadcast of the Hausa sensitization radio program on the dangers of the contaminants on humans. The result of the listenership survey showed that about 1,131,073 people (17.8% female) listened to the program during the quarter. This radio program will continue in the next quarter. This quarter also witnessed the introduction of WhatsApp messaging for the dissemination of information to beneficiaries on improved technologies and other relevant information.

1.2.2 Summary of Results to Date The project continued to increase the number of beneficiaries receiving support during the quarter. As in the previous quarter, the project was implemented in two zones of the Kaduna State, Maigana and Lere. In the Maigana zone, project activities were implemented in 54 communities under six local government areas (LGAs). The LGAs are Kudan, Makarfi, Sabon Gari, Soba, Zaria, and Giwa. In Lere, zone activities were implemented in 48 communities under three LGA areas (Igabi, Kuaru and Lere). The increase in the number of LGAs from eight to nine and the number of communities from 91 to 102 was due to targeting communities where soybeans are produced in order to increase the quantity available to the aggregators to purchase. It was observed that in the other communities, not enough soybeans were produced, prompting the aggregators to travel to Benue and Niger States to purchase them. These purchases from farmers who did not receive training on quality maintenance tended to contribute in the increase in the level of aluminum in the grains.

2. ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS

2.1 Progress Narrative The project is being implemented in nine LGAs in the Lere (Lere, Kuaru and Igabi) and Maigana (Soba, Makarfi, Zaria, Sabon Gari, Giwa, and Kudan) zones with a total of 102 communities in both zones. During this quarter, an additional 4,172 beneficiaries were reached bringing the overall total to 28,397 (20,030 male, 8,367 female; 4,870 youth) beneficiaries. The additional beneficiaries trained during the quarter consisted of 2,584 farmers (1,705 male, 879 female), 1,329 members (416 male, 913 female; 354 youth) of CBOs, 20 agro input dealers, 220 service providers (all female), 15 aggregators, and four grain merchants. The current number of beneficiaries of the project therefore stands as are 25,355 farmers (18,362 male, 6,993 female; 4,109 youth), 21 aggregators, 142 agro-input dealers (all male; one youth), 158 grain merchants (all male), 83 commercial warehouse owners (all male; one youth), 994 laborers (532 male, 462 female; 330 youth), and 82 CBOs with 1,644 members (732 male, 912 female; 429 youth). A total of 2,584 farmers and 1,329 CBO members were trained this quarter on proper methods of drying and storage of maize and soybeans. They also received training on how to detect contaminants in the grains and prevent different pests from attacking the grains during storage. Similarly, 220 laborers working for Nestlé aggregators were trained on proper methods of cleaning and sorting of grains.

Testing of the grains for aflatoxin and fumonisins continued during the quarter, however only a small number of tests were conducted. This is due to the fact that the program received a shipment of new testing materials from Mobile Assay and staff have not yet been trained on their use. Mobile Assay will be traveling to Nigeria the first week of April to conduct a training for

5 project staff and aggregators. However, a total of 36 samples from 20 farmers of maize and soybeans were tested from farmers using the older testing equipment. For aflatoxin, only one sample of soybeans met the minimum standards set by Nestlé, while 30 of the 32 samples tested for fumonisins met the minimum standards.

During this quarter, the team worked to address the lack of quality inputs and agricultural equipment within the project area. The team linked local input suppliers with the Gongoni company in Kano, who manufactures and distributed magtoxin, which is generally not available in Kaduna. The project also worked to identify cheaper and more readily available hermetic storage bags for the project areas. Currently PICS bags are not widely available and very expensive (up to N900/100kg bag). However, the project identified KARISA hermetic storage bags as a cheaper alternative (N550/100kg bag) that is available and provided some samples to three aggregators for trial after being trained on their use. The project also visited an agro equipment fabricator in Kaduna named Hainiga where high-quality grain dryers, threshers, and pre-cleaning machines were demonstrated. All of these have been introduced and promoted to farmers and aggregators.

2.2 Implementation Status

Beneficiary Trainings Training of Farmers and CBOs During the quarter the project trained 2,584 new farmers (34% female) and 1,329 members of CBOs (55.5% female). The objective of the farmers’ training was to equip them with the requisite technologies on good agricultural practices in the areas of post-harvest handling of maize and soybeans. The topics covered were: o Aflatoxins, fumonisins, and Figure 1: Farmer training in Sabon-Yelwa village, Igabi LGA aluminum mitigation strategies during harvesting and post-harvest o Major pest and diseases of maize and soybeans in Nigeria o Stored product pests o Group dynamics and conflict management o Sustainable group formation and management

Training of Agro-input Dealers A total of 20 new agro-input dealers were trained this quarter. The objective of the training was to build the capacity of input dealers in the area on the use and handling of pesticides in a healthy and environmentally-friendly way. They were trained on the following topics: o Stored product pests of maize and soybeans o Store management o Major pests and diseases of maize and soybeans in Nigeria o Handling and application of pesticides o Dealing with counterfeit and illegal agro-inputs

Training of Grain Merchants Four new grain merchants were also trained on methods of aflatoxin, fumonisin, and aluminum mitigation during harvesting and post-harvest. They also received training on how to maintain good quality grains at the first collection point. Training of Laborers During this quarter, a total of 220 women service providers at DABOL and LoryB aggregators were trained on proper methods of cleaning and sorting grains. Figure 2: Aggregator staff at DABOL warehouse being trained by a female Extension Agent Mobile Testing of Grains Testing of the grains for aflatoxin and fumonisins continued during the quarter, however only a small number of tests were conducted. This is due to the fact that the program received a shipment of new testing materials from Mobile Assay and staff have not yet been trained on their use. Mobile Assay will be traveling to Nigeria the first week of April to conduct a training for project staff and aggregators. However, a total of 36 samples from 20 farmers of maize and soybeans were tested from farmers using the older testing equipment. For aflatoxin, only one sample of soybeans met the minimum standards set by Nestlé, while 30 of the 32 samples tested for fumonisins met the minimum standards.

In the next quarter, Mobile Assay will train project staff as well as two representatives from each of the seven Nestlé aggregators in the use of mobile testing. Mobile Assay will also work with project staff to address ongoing issues related to the need to calibrate the testing equipment to match results from testing currently in use by Nestlé, as well as conduct calibrations on the new aluminum testing module.

Radio Program The collaboration of the project with the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) in producing and airing of a Hausa radio program across the state to sensitize listeners on the dangers of contaminants to humans and how to mitigate them continued this quarter. This radio programme titled Ku saurara manoma was aired through the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria AM Channel 589. The program was broadcast twice a week on Sundays at 9:15 pm and Tuesdays at 9:45 am during the quarter.

Various topics related to the dangers of aflatoxin, fumonisins, and aluminum as well as post- harvest handling of maize and soyabeans were discussed. Project staff, farmers, and aggregators were interviewed on what the project was doing to reduce the levels of the contaminants.

The results of a recently conducted listenership survey showed that the listenership of the radio program in the state was increasing. The study estimated that about 1,131,073 people listened to

7 the program. This is more than double the number of persons who were reported to have listened during the previous quarter. Majority of the listeners were male (82.2%), while females were only 17.8%. About 68.5% were regular listeners who listened on both Sundays and Tuesdays. The results obtained showed that there was high level of satisfaction with the content of the broadcast among respondents as over 70% of the listeners were satisfied with the content. About 52.7% felt that the duration was too short and the suggested that it should be 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes. The reported lessons learned by listeners were on how to dry grains properly, use of Aflasafe, and how to treat/clean seeds. WhatsApp Information Dissemination During this quarter the project commenced the use of WhatsApp in sharing information and technologies with beneficiaries and other stakeholders. A total of 119 (19 aggregator staff, 14 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) volunteers, nine input suppliers, one warehouse owner, 46 EAs, and 30 farmers) value chain actors joined the platform during this quarter. Both text and video messages were sent to relevant participants to share important information that was seasonally appropriate and reinforcing topics covered in previous trainings. Topics included reminders of key points from post-harvest trainings, fall armyworm identification and prevention, reminders when the program’s radio show will air, and which pesticides are best for mitigating contaminants. In the next quarter, messages will focus on best practices for grain storage, field selection and measurement, land preparation, use of improved seeds, and other seasonally relevant topics. Training attendees will be encouraged to join the platform and the ground rules for sharing information on it will be explained. Linking Beneficiaries with Input Dealers Gongoni Company in Kano During this quarter, the project has been linking beneficiaries with input dealers outside the project area. Market assessments have shown that there is a scarcity of the recommended fumigant-magtoxin in the market. To remedy this, the project visited Gongoni Company in Kano, which imports magtoxin into Nigeria. Project staff met with Gongoni staff to see if they could make some the project input dealers distributors of magtoxin in the Kaduna area. Gongoni provided their contact details, which were passed on to the input dealers. The project will continue to follow up on these potential partnerships in the next quarter by encouraging input suppliers to reach out to Gongoni to apply to be distributors of their products.

KARISA Hermetic Storage Bags Company in Abuja While the project promotes the use of hermetic storage bags to mitigate contaminants, the project team received several complaints from beneficiaries about the scarcity and high cost of PICS bags. A 100 kg bag, when available, sells for as much as N900/bag. This prompted the team to search for alternatives. KARISA hermetic storage bags were identified as a cheaper alternative (N550/100kg bag). Samples

Figure 3: KARISA Hermetic Storage Bag 8 were provided to three aggregators (Adefunke- desh, NALMACO, and Alh. Saleh) for trial along with training in their use. The results so far show that grains stored in the bags are pest free and could be more widely promoted by the project. Hanigha Company in Kaduna This quarter the project also visited an agro-equipment fabricator in Kaduna named Hanigha where grain dryers, threshers, and pre-cleaning machines were demonstrated. These demonstrations were filmed by the project and showed to farmers and aggregators to encourage them to purchase or rent this equipment. Collaboration with Other Projects During this quarter, discussions were held with Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Activity implemented by MSU and IFPRI, and Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa Activity (PIATA) implemented by AGRA on areas of possible collaboration. These discussions resulted in an agreement to collaborate with Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Activity being implemented by MSU and IFPRI and Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa Activity (PIATA) implemented by AGRA on holding joint policy dialogues on share technical topics, specifically on establishing grades and standards for grains in Nigeria. It was also agreed that the project will collaborate with PIATA to facilitate project farmers’ access to high quality soybean seeds and on joint crop demonstrations of good agricultural practices. The project team also held discussion with Harvest Plus, the Aflasafe Technology Transfer and Commercialization program implemented by IITA, and GIZ to address challenges facing maize quality in Nigeria through the formation of a task force involving maize value chain stakeholders. The meeting attendees agreed that it is important to work with relevant stakeholders and government agencies to establish standards and grades for maize and other grains. Multiple meetings were held to discuss the establishment of standards and grades this quarter with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The project was invited to speak at a stakeholder workshop hosted by the Ministry in May to present our experience with current issues related to grain quality and potential solutions, including grading. Project Impact This quarter aggregators began purchasing grains from the current harvest for future sale to Nestlé and other buyers. Through linking these aggregators with project-trained farmers who engaged in the promoted behaviors and technologies, the level of contaminants in aggregators’ grains coming into their warehouses is expected to be reduced. During field visits by EAs, it has been noted that many farmers are now drying their grains properly and are willing to store grains using hermetic storage bags. The following table shows the tonnages of maize and soybeans purchased by aggregators from project trained beneficiaries. AGGREGATOR MAIZE (MT) SOYBEANS (MT)

NALMACO 8,000 5,000

ALHAJI SALEH 330 210

LORYB 215 214

ADEFUNKE-DESH 300 250

MIRAJ 300 300

DABOL 210.3 330

TOTAL 9,355.3 6,304

These aggregators have indicated a willingness to purchase more grains from farmers as long as the grains are of good quality and farmers are well organised to assemble their grains in a collection center. 2.3 Implementation challenges The general security situation in Kaduna State remained a challenge. The general elections that took place in February and March contributed in creating a tense atmosphere within the state. This led the team to scale down the level of activities with the beneficiaries during the quarter to maintain staff and beneficiary safety. A number of kidnapping and killings were reported in parts of the state during the quarter as well.

3. INTEGRATION OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND USAID FORWARD PRIORITIES

3.1 Gender Equality and Female Empowerment During this quarter, the project team made deliberate effort to identify and register female CBOs. Trainings were organised for them on how to detect and mitigate contaminants, as well as on how to manage their groups. Out of 4,172 new beneficiaries who participated in project activities during the quarter, 1,712 (41%) of them were female.

3.2 Sustainability Mechanisms Efforts made to work closely with the leadership of Maize Farmers Association of Kaduna State and Soyabeans Farmers Association with the intention of having their lead farmers serve as farmer trainers have not yielded the desired result. So far only the Soyabeans Farmers’ Association has shared a list of their members. Furthermore, on contacting farmers from the list, some claimed not to be member of the association and some were not even farmers. It appears that the groups exist on paper but not in real terms. Through consultation with farmers and the EAs, the project has now identified 30 lead farmers who will play the role of farmer to farmer trainers as soon as the new farming season commences.

3.3 Environmental Compliance The project maintained the use of the updated list of recommended pesticides approved by USAID during the quarter. The project identified the scarcity of the recommended fumigant magnesium phosphide (magtoxin) from the market and revised the Safer Use Action Plan

(SUAP) to include aluminum phosphide, which is readily available and widely used by farmers, although incorrectly. This has been approved by USAID and training of beneficiaries on proper use of aluminum phosphide has commenced. 3.4 Youth Development About 24.9 % of the new beneficiaries of the project activities during the quarter were youth and were mostly farmers belonging to CBOs. They were trained on aflatoxins, fumonisins, and aluminum mitigation strategies during harvesting and post-harvest; major pest and diseases of maize and soybeans in Nigeria; stored product pests; group dynamics and conflict management; and sustainable group formation and management. Discussions have commenced with the NYSC officials about the replacement of the NYSC volunteers who ended their term at the end of 2018. Two criteria were set for the new NYSC volunteers to be recruited. First, they must have studied agriculture or an agriculture related discipline and must be able to speak the local language. It is hoped that by next quarter the project will recruit several of these volunteers to assist with program activities.

3.5 Policy and Governance Support During this quarter, the project team continued to hold meetings with officials of the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency, and the leadership of the various LGAs. The meetings focused mostly on identifying areas with high concentrations of soybean farmers in the Kaduna State. Three LGAs in the Samaru zone were identified with high levels of soybean farmers. The project will commence working with the farmers in some of these communities in the next quarter.

3.6 Local Capacity Development As in the previous quarter, a total of 76 local EAs provided support to the project by conducting trainings to farmers and aggregators as well as providing technical support during regular follow up field visits. A total of 30 lead farmers have been identified and the team will hold a special training for the next quarter to properly define their roles and expectations. These EAs and lead farmers will be able to provide ongoing support beyond the life of the project through the capacity building they receive from the project.

3.7 Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Global Development Alliance (GDA) Impacts The project team will continue to follow up with the leadership of the Kaduna State Maize Farmers’ Association and Soyabeans Farmers’ Association on a potential partnership with them. The anticipated registration of their members that will participate in the project was not accomplished during quarter. If a list of their genuine farmer members can be obtained, this will be used to identify potential lead farmers. The project is also in the process of finalizing a memo of understanding with BASF West Africa to set up 33 demonstration plots for improved farming practices and to train project staff and volunteers on good agricultural practices. This memo should be finalized by the end of May 2019 and the first round of trainings should begin in mid- June.

3.8 Conflict Mitigation This quarter, 1,329 members of CBOs were trained in a variety of organizational management topics, including group dynamics and conflict management.

3.9 Science, Technology, and Innovation Impacts. No activities were implemented this quarter related to this sector.

4. STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT During the quarter the project team held numerous meetings with key stakeholders along the value chain. This included the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture and Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA), as well as the Local Government Authorities in the project area. The state government and farmers associations were consulted when trying to identify LGAs with high concentrations of soybean farmer and the decision of the project to include the Giwa LGA of Maigana zone as part of the project area was an outcome of the consultation. Similarly, the team will commence activities in the LGAs recommended by them from the Samaru zone next quarter. A stakeholder forum that was planned for this quarter was delayed till next quarter due to the general elections.

5. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES There were no major administrative activities that took place this quarter.

6. LESSON LEARNED Election period is not the best time for implementing project activities. For most of February and early March, the EAs could not hold the regular visits to beneficiaries to ascertain if they were storing their grains properly due to political tensions as a result of campaigns in the communities. The identification of lead farmers and their training next quarter will ensure that there will be more localized support and extension advice for farmers in their LGAs when EAs cannot travel. While it was envisioned that the project would work through farmers associations to maximize the effectiveness of trainings, this approach is now less likely. This is because while these associations are registered with the government and their executive members are known, the list of members that the association leadership provides are often fake. While there are a number of benefits working with farmer associations, it has been determined that better results could be gotten by working directly with the farmers instead. 7. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER INCLUDING UPCOMING EVENTS The following activities will be prioritized for the next quarter:

Table 1: Upcoming Key Project Activities (April 1-June 30, 2019)

April May June w w w w w w w w w w w w Point Person k k k k k k k k k k k k Key Activities/Tasks 4 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 Stakeholder Outreach Stakeholder consultation and dialogue Team Leader Quarterly review of activities with Training Coordinators, beneficiaries EAs

Identification and registration of farmers Training Coordinators, in Samaru Zone EAs Training Activities Production of posters and pamphlets Team Lead, STA and

Admin specialist Distribution and posting of printed Admin specialist materials Production and airing of radio programs Team Lead, STA and

Admin specialist Building Capacity of Farmers and Farm laborers Identification and establishment of Training Coordinators,

Demonstration Plots EAs Farm level trainings for farmers Training Coordinators,

EAs Training of farm laborers Training Coordinators, EAs Identification and posting of EAs and Training Coordinators

NYSC volunteers Ongoing oversight and monitoring of Training Coordinators, farmers by volunteers and project staff EAs Agro-Input Dealers Outreach Input dealer training Training Coordinators,

EAs Designing and posting of materials at Training Coordinators, input supply locations EAs Coordination with other implementers Team Leader and suppliers Building Grain Aggregator Capacity Training of aggregators (including Training Coordinators, grading) EAs Testing and grading of grains at Training Coordinators aggregators’ warehouses Testing of grains before purchase from Training Coordinators farmers Facilitate relationship between Training Coordinators aggregators and testing technology and cleaning and sorting machine suppliers Finalizing Mobile Assay Test Kit

Building Capacity of Grain Warehouse Owners and Middlemen Training of warehouse owners Training Coordinators,

EAs Training of middlemen Training Coordinators,

EAs Testing of grains at commercial Training Coordinators warehouses Building Capacity of CBOs Training of CBOs on contaminants Training Coordinators, mitigation EAs

Training of CBOs on management of Training Coordinators, cooperatives and groups EAs Gender Train WFAs on improved production Training Coordinators, practices EAs Training of WFAs on safe harvesting, Training Coordinators, threshing, and cleaning methods EAs Training of WFAs on safe packaging of Training Coordinators, grains EAs Monitoring and Evaluation M&E field visits M&E Team Beneficiary Assessment M&E Team Quarterly Review meetings Team Leader Data collection from farmers Training Coordinators, EAs

8. WHAT DOES USAID AND NESTLÉ NOT KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO? As noted in previous reports and discussions, one way to resolve the issue of farmers having no financial incentive to invest in increasing their grain quality is to ensure that grains are graded and sold according to grades. While the project has been meeting with other stakeholders to promote this idea, a high level of investment of time and resources is needed across the maize and soybean value chain to accomplish this. Having both USAID and Nestlé promoting this with relevant government agencies and value chain actors will ensure that the objective is achieved.