Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS-AG)

QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL – JUNE 2017)

Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS- AG)

Submitted by:

Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS- AG)

Submitted by: Prepared by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Contract No. AID-625-C-14- 00001, Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth, implemented by CNFA

USAID Contract #AID-625-C-14-0000

Submitted to: Patrick Smith Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Sahel Regional Office (SRO) USAID/Senegal

1 August 2017

DISCLAIMER This report was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Feed the Future (FtF). Its contents are CNFA‘s responsibility but do not necessarily reflect USAID’s views, Feed the Future or the American Government.

Contents ACRONYMS ...... 13 SUMMARY ...... 16 PART 1 - PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 20 REGIS-AG and the RISE initiative ...... 20 1.1 Goal, Objectives and Expected Results ...... 20 1.2 Intervention Areas ...... 20 1.3 Implementation Partners...... 20 1.4 Overview of Value Chain Development Strategy...... 21 PART 2 – PROJECT PERFORMANCE – Level of Achievement in Q3of FY17 Expected Outputs ...... 23 2.1. Component 1: Identify Opportunities through Value Chain and End-Markets Analysis ...... 23 2.1.1. Carrying out complementary studies ...... 23 2.1.2. Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) ...... 24 2.1.3. Sharpening the project intervention strategy ...... 24 2.2. Component 2: Strengthen Linkages and Relationships in Selected Value Chains ...... 27 2.2.1. Cowpea Value Chain ...... 27 2.2.2. Small Ruminants Value Chain ...... 32 2.2.3. Poultry Value Chain ...... 35 2.3. Component 3: Strengthen Input Supply and other Supporting Services and Improve Smallholder and Agro-Pastoralist Access to Interconnected Markets...... 41 2.3.1. Cowpea Inputs and Services ...... 41 2.3.2. Animal Inputs and Services ...... 49 2.4. Component 4: Increase access to finance, innovation and private sector investment ...... 51 2.4.1. Functional Literacy Capacity Building Activities...... 52 2.4.2. Access to Finance Facilitation Activities ...... 58 2.5. Component 5: Improve the Enabling Environment for Local and Regional Private Investment...... 64 PART 3 - PROJECT PERFORMANCE - Level of Achievement in Q3 of FY17 Expected Outcomes and Performance Indicators ...... 79 3.1. Main M&E Activities ...... 79 3. 2. Status of achievement of performance indicators at Q3 in FY17 ...... 81 PART 4 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT ...... 92 4.1. Project staff ...... 92 4.2. Management activities ...... 94 4.3. Major Meetings and Visits ...... 95 4.4. Project Reporting and Public Communication ...... 95 Annex1: Working Group Results and Findings ...... 97

ACRONYMS

A2N Association Nodde Nooto ADI Association des Distributeurs d’Intrants Agricoles du Niger AE Auxilliaire d’élevage AGRA Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa AGED Association pour la Gestion de l’Environnement et le Développement AGRODIA Association des Grossistes et Détaillants d’Intrants Agricoles du Burkina Faso ANFT National Association of Suppliers, Transformers and Traders of the BVCP ANPB National Association of Livestock Producers AREN Association pour la Redynamisation de l'Elevage au Niger ASCOV Association of Poultry Traders ASPRODEB Association Sénégalaise pour la Promotion des Petits Projets de Développement à la Base BDS Business Development Services BPH Bonnes Pratiques d’Hygiène BOA Bank of Africa CAHW Community Animal Health Workers CNCB Conseil National des Chargeurs du Burkina Faso CNFA Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture CERRA Centre Régional de Recherche Agronomique CILSS Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (Comité Permanent Inter-États de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel) COFENBAVI Confédération des Fédérations Nationales de la Filière Bétail/Viande des pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest COP Chief of Party COR Contracting Officer’s Representative CRA Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture CRS Catholic Relief Services DCA USAID Development Credit Authority DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DDEL Délégation Départementale de l’Elevage DFAP USAID Development Food Aid Program DOPAIR Direction de l’Organisation des Producteurs et de l’Appui aux Institutions Rurales DQA Data Quality Assessment DRE Direction Régionale de l’Elevage DREL Délégation Régionale de l’Elevage DRRAH Direction des Ressources Animales et Halieutiques (Regional Directorate of Animal and Fishery Resources) DSA Direction de la Santé Animale (Directorate of Animal Health) ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations PO Farmers’ Based Organization FCFA Franc de la Communauté Financière d’Afrique FFP Food for Peace FIARA Foire Internationale de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Animales FODEL Fonds de Développement de l’Elevage GERME Gérer Mieux son Entreprise GRET Groupe de Recherches et d’Echanges Technologiques GIE Groupement d’Intérêt Economique GIP Groupement d’Intérêt Public GPS Global Positioning System GSC Groupement de Service et de Conseil IABER Institut Africain de Bio Economie Rurale IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development INERA Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles du Burkina Faso INRAN Institut National de Recherche Agricole du Niger IP-BVCP Inter Profession Bétail-Viande Cuirs et Peaux LABOCEL Laboratoire Central de l'Elevage du Niger LAHIA Livelihoods, Agriculture and Health Interventions in Action (DFAP) LOP Life of Project MAGEL Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Elevage MECAP Mutuelle d’Epargne et de Crédits des Artisans et des Producteurs MCPSP Ministère du Commerce et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEL Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning MFI Micro-Finance Institution MICA Ministère de l’Industrie du Commerce et de l’Artisanat MT Metric Ton MOU Memorandum of Understanding MRA Ministère des Ressources Animales MSME Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise NGO Non-Governmental/Non-Profit Organization OCADES Organisation Catholique pour le Développement Economique et Social OHADA Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa ONV-BF Ordre national des Vétérinaires du Burkina Faso ONVN Ordre National des Vétérinaires du Niger OPCV Organisation des Producteurs des Chaînes de Valeur P4P Purchase for Progress PAS Programme d’Ajustement Structurel PASAM-TAI Program for Support to Household Food Security PDLK Projet d’Appui au Développement Local de la Komandjari PERSUAP Pesticide Evaluation Report & Safe Use Action Plan PICS Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage PMP Performance Monitoring Plan PO Producers’ Organization PRODIB Professionalization of Agro-Input Dealers in Burkina Faso PROFIL Projet des Filières Agricoles PRRIA Projet de Développement de la Résilience à l’Insécurité Alimentaire au Burkina Faso Q Quarter RCPB Réseau des Caisses Populaires du Burkina Faso RECA Réseau des Chambres d’Agriculture REGIS-AG Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth REGIS-ER Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel - Enhanced Resilience RISE USAID Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced ROI Return On Investment RSAP Réseau de Santé Animale de Proximité ROPPA Réseau des organisations paysannes et de producteurs de l'Afrique de l'Ouest SAFEM Salon de l’Artisanat pour la Femme SAREL Sahel Resilience Learning Sawki Mercy Corps DFAP (means facilitation in Haussa language) SHF Small Holder Farmers SIBVAO Salon International Bétail-Viande de l’Afrique de l’Ouest SIMA System of Agricultural Marketing Information SIM-B Système d’Information du Marche Bétail SIPRA Société Ivoirienne de Production Animale SNV Netherlands Development Organization SOFAB Société de Fabrication d’Aliments Bétails au Burkina Faso SOP Strategic Orientation Plan SPRING/DG Strengthening Partnership Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally/Digital Green STA-SA Société de Transformation Alimentaire STTA Short Term Technical Assistance SVPP Service Vétérinaires Privés de Proximité SYS-FeM Scaling out Integrated Soil Fertility Management technologies ToR Terms of Reference ToT Training of Trainers UEMOA Union Economique et Monétaire West Africaine UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund USAID United States Agency for International Development USD US Dollar USG US Government VC Value Chain VCA Value Chain Approach VCS Value Chain Study VETOPROX Vétérinaire de Proximité Sahel VHH Vulnerable Household ViM Victoire sur la Malnutrition (Projet) VSF-B Vétérinaires Sans Frontières-Belgique VVV Vaccinateur Villageois de Volaille WFP World Food Program WHO World Heath Organization ZEPESA Zebu Peul au Sahel (Projet de développement du Zébu Peul au Sahel) SUMMARY

The Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS-AG) project REGIS-AG aims to increase the resilience of vulnerable populations in the Sahel region by upgrading the competitiveness and inclusiveness of pro-poor value chains (cowpea, small ruminant and poultry) in agro-pastoralist and marginal agricultural zones of Burkina Faso and Niger. By increasing the inclusiveness and competitiveness of these value chains, REGIS-AG will increase the incomes of 50,000 vulnerable households and communities (both men and women) by 50% or more and to reduce the poverty in these households by 20%. More specifically, the project target is to increase incomes from the cowpea value chain at least by 69% among target vulnerable households and communities, 38% among the small ruminant value chain beneficiaries, and 60% among those involved in the poultry value chain. The project activities are structured around five integrated components.

Under the project’s Component 1, the development of the Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) was launched with the field work carried out by a USAID-approved consultant. Additionally, project continued to refined its intervention strategy, particularly by initiating market linkage workshops and developing and action plans to support actors who have agreed to engage in a business transaction.

During Q3 of FY17, activities carried out under Component 2 covered all three value chains. On the cowpea value chain, activities focused on four main interventions: (i) Organizing and participating in cowpea promotional days in Burkina Faso, mobilizing 73 participants in Fada and Dori. In Fada, 3.5 tons of cowpea were sold for a value of 1,172,500 Fcfa and while in Dori 53 participants earned a total revenue of 274,750 Fcfa. This low volume of sales highlights the need to further improve sensitization and mobilization of farmers for fairs and promotional days, and to stimulate greater production by vulnerable smallholder farmers. (ii) Organizing three market linkage workshops in Maradi, Tillaberi, and Zinder, Niger. In total, the workshops gathered 118 cowpea producers (including 44 women), 36 potential buyers [15 traders (including 2 women) and 21 processors] and 16 agrodealers. As a result, 68 supporting action plans are being finalized for 13 potential buyers who have agreed to do business with 55 cowpea POs from the three regions. (iii) Training 106 producers including 55 women in commercial negotiation and pricing techniques in Burkina Faso (75 PO representatives attended in Kaya and Fada and 106 farmers attended in Dori). (iv) Training of 305 beneficiaries on good production practices in Burkina Faso. (v) Training of 120 production union leaders on standards, quality and pricing of foodstuffs at the request of WFP. On the small ruminant value chain, two main activities carried out focused on (i) facilitating the participation of 13 beneficiaries at the FIARA in Dakar (March 29 to April 16, 2017), following up on the two largest orders received at the FIARA,

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(ii) organizing workshops in Niger to share the findings of the study on transforming goat milk into cheese (Tchoukou) and validate the report. For FIARA, thanks to project support, a 13 participants from Niger representing 29 PO arrived at the FIARA with 770 small ruminants (217 red Maradi goats and 553 sheep1) and 100 Kg of kilichi (dehydrated meat like jerky). These animals were sourced from of 577 farmers from Niger, including 402 women. Three participants from Burkina Faso also participated without animal to sell, but explored business opportunities. The participants sold all of the animals and kilichi they brought to the fair where prices were quite lucrative, allowing beneficiaries to achieve a total revenue of 63,289,450 Fcfa ($108,558). Additionally, the Senegalese Minister of Livestock expressed interest in ordering 20,000 heads of sheep from Niger for the Dakar Tabaski fair and the National Association of Professionals of Meat And livestock from Senegal (ANPROVBS) ordered 500 pairs of red Maradi goats (1000 heads) from REGIS-AG POs. These orders are being discussed.

On the poultry value chain, activities carried out focused on 5 (five) main interventions: (i) Training 105 PO members from 4 POs in Zinder, Niger on poultry rearing and poultry feed production techniques and helping the PO draw up quarterly production plans. (ii) Supporting a vaccination campaign conducted by all 10 SVPP networks against Newcastle disease. During the campaign, a total of 1,919 households vaccinated their birds. (iii) Training 71 PO members in Maradi and Zinder on entrepreneurship and management. (iv) Organizing three market linkage workshops in Niger to establish links between 19 poultry PO representing 116 beneficiary households and 6 poultry buyers (collectors, roasters and restaurants). These three workshops were attended by 118 members (including 68 women) and 31 POs. Twenty five draft action plans for supporting these transactions were developed and will be finalized during the next quarter. In Burkina Faso, a similar market linkage workshop was held in Dori and gathered 14 PO and 7 buyers (5 traders and 2 processors). A transaction agreement was reached between 4 PO and 2 buyers and 6 draft action plans developed. More PO will be encouraged to join the agreement during Q4FY17 and action plans finalized. (v) Organizing the third edition of the poultry fair in Maradi, Tillaberi, and Zinder during June 21-23, 2017. During the fairs, 3,660 of the 4,133 chickens presented were sold and total sales were 8,510,850 Fcfa ($14,905). As for guinea fowl, 4,156 were sold out of 4562 presented where total sales were 15,819,300 Fcfa ($27,705). Similarly, this low volume of sales highlights the need to further improve sensitization and mobilization of farmers, and to stimulate greater production by vulnerable smallholder farmers.

Under the project’s Component 3, activities carried out focused on carrying out training for 99 agricultural input distributors as well as organizing a multi-stakeholder workshop addressing challenges producers face in order to access animal feed in Burkina Faso. The workshop included producers of feed, merchants, POs, and representatives from the Ministry of Animal Resources. By the end of the workshop, challenges as well as specific action steps for how to address these challenges were developed. In addition, the project organized three livestock and agricultural input fairs in Burkina Faso which offered a total of 5,518.5 Kg of products for sale. Attendance was high 1,627 visitors) and total sales for project beneficiaries was 3,340450 Fcfa ($5,850).

1They are: 414 Balami, 110 Ouda, 28 Ara ara, and 1 Koundoum. 17

In terms of animal health services, the project achievements in Burkina Faso is the identification and training of 44 new livestock auxiliaries (AE) in order to establish two new SVPP networks. In Niger, 101 AEs were retrained, REGIS-AG signed a protocol for collaboration with the National Order of Veterinarians of Niger (ONVN), and the project supported the state’s efforts to vaccinate 295,936 small ruminants using the SVPP networks.

Under the project’s Component 4, activities carried out focused on: (i) opening 25 new functional literacy centers in Niger (15 in Maradi, 5 in Tillaberi and 5 in Zinder) with 828 learners [496 in Maradi (464 women), 158 in Tillaberi (124 women) and 174 learners in Zinder (119 women)], (ii) training 2.881 learners (2.454 women) in Burkina Faso [(516 in already existing centers (418 women) and 761 in the 25 new ones (629 women)] and in Niger [(776 in already existing centers (700 women) and 828 in the 25 new ones (707 women)]. Remarkably, despite the early onset of rainy season, the beneficiaries continued to attend classes, (iii) continuing to refine the new project strategy for facilitating project beneficiaries’ access to finance, (iv) developing action plans to support one commercial bank (ECOBANK) and two MFI (MECAP, RCPB) in Burkina Faso. With regards to functional literacy activities, training of learners was carried out in all new and old centers in the two countries, (v) evaluating the performance of the 20 former centers that operated in in Niger FY16 - The evaluation shows satisfactory performance results which are attributable to the support of the public sector inspectors. The evaluation of 43 centers (18 old and 25 new) in Burkina Faso will be carried out in Q4FY17. (vi) training twelve (12) members from 6 BDS providers were trained in Niger on the value chain approach, business plan development techniques, and farm business creation and management. (vii) training, 36 members from 31 BDS were trained on the GERME approach and used the TOT approach in Burkina Faso. (viii) supporting three (3) poultry buyers obtain access to credit of 2,000,000 Fcfa from the agricultural bank of Niger (BAGRI) and three (3) POs in Niger received a loan of 1,600,000 from a MFI (MECAT) to purchase fertilizers and seeds. (ix) Following the progress of warrantage-related loan repayments - 14 out of 16 POs completed their loan repayment in June. (x) Carrying out a prospecting mission in Dakar to learn from experience in developing agricultural insurance programs. The main take way from these exchanges is twofold: • Developing a workable insurance system is complex and requires full government involvement and resources REGIS-AG does not have. In addition, the scope of the program goes well beyond REGIS- AG geographical and value chain considerations. • REGIS-AG should focus on defining the risks inherent in introducing an agricultural insurance activity and to generate the information needed to develop a SoW for a consultancy, including data availability issues, enabling environment, and existence of necessary institutions. USAID will mobilize and fund a consultancy that will carry out the study with REGIS-AG support.

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Under the project’s Component 5, activities carried out during this reporting period in Niger focused on: (i) disseminating legal texts governing private sector investments in land and agriculture in Niger, (ii) developing an approach for structuring stakeholders in the poultry value chain in Niger, (iii) signing 5 new MoU with Communes to reform the management of their livestock market, (iv) monitoring management practices of the 9 livestock market management committees that were established in Niger and transformed into GIEs that were.

In Burkina Faso, the project focused on (i) identifying 3 new livestock markets to help improve their management, and (ii) conducting training workshops to support four (4) market management committees to develop internal and external management practices.

In addition, in both countries, the project also focused on (i) assessing 18 platforms for value chain development advocacy, and (ii) training PO liaison agents (ReComs) to build their capacity in good governance so that they can replicate the training in their respective POs.

Finally, the project participated in a training workshop between Trade Hub and CONFENABVI-AO to address constraints to cross-border transportation and trade of agricultural products. This activity was identified as a joint interaction between the two projects. At the end of the workshop, an action plan was developed, identifying three major activities to carry out. REGIS-AG made important contributions during the action plan development.

During the reporting period, project performance monitoring activities focused on carrying out a an assessment of the outcome of project fairs and market linkage events, supporting the consulting firm that is carrying out the baseline survey, updating the M&E database with data collected, and preparation for the annual survey. A key result that emerged from the survey of project fairs and market linkage events is that majority of participants at those events made business contacts and these resulted in actual transactions amounting to US $141.360.

For project management, activities focused on ensuring adequate project staffing, meaningful reporting, effective communication, and adequate planning and monitoring. Throughout this reporting period, the project staff count remained stable while five (5) vacant positions were filled and four (4) new approved positions were filled, and all project employees continued to be fully equipped. Staff mobility is expected to improve in the next quarter as the purchase of six (06) motorcycles for Niger and one (01) additional vehicle for Burkina Faso is complete and equipment received.

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PART 1 - PROJECT DESCRIPTION

REGIS-AG and the RISE initiative

1.1 Goal, Objectives and Expected Results On 28 January 2015, USAID signed a $34.4 million dollar contract with Washington-based Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) for the implementation of a new project: Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS-AG). REGIS-AG is a five-year project focusing on strengthening the cowpea, small ruminant, and poultry value chains in agro- pastoralist and marginal agricultural zones of Niger and Burkina Faso. By increasing the inclusiveness and competitiveness of these value chains, REGIS-AG will increase the incomes of vulnerable households (including men and women), enhancing the resilience of families and communities to shocks such as drought, conflict, and economic crises.

The three value chains were selected because they have a high potential for commercially oriented activities and either are or have the potential to be critically important sources of income for both men and women in households across livelihood status groups.

The target outcome of REGIS-AG is to increase income from sheep, goats, poultry and cowpeas by 50% among target households (vulnerable households), which will, in turn, contribute to reducing the depth of poverty (among the poor) by 20%. REGIS-AG will reach 270,000 direct beneficiaries.

1.2 Intervention Areas Program implementation is managed through five integrated components: • Component 1: Identify opportunities through value chain and end-market analysis • Component 2: Strengthen vertical and horizontal value chain linkages and relationships in selected value chains • Component 3: Strengthen input supply and other supporting services and improve smallholder and agro-pastoralist access to these interconnected markets • Component 4: Increase access to finance, innovation and private sector investment • Component 5: Improve the enabling environment for local and regional private sector investment

1.3 Implementation Partners REGIS-AG is implemented by a CNFA-led consortium of international and local NGOs. The international NGOs are CRS, SNV and VSF. The local NGOs are A2N and AGED in Burkina Faso, and Karkara and AREN in Niger.

REGIS-AG is not a stand-alone intervention. The project implements innovative “pull” strategies linking smallholder groups to markets, in close cooperation and synergy with projects operating in its target zones and which focus on production-level “push” strategies, in order to move vulnerable households from subsistence-level farming to commercial farming and increased food security. These projects include:

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• The Enhanced Resilience Cooperative Agreement REGIS-ER • The Food for Peace (FFP) Development Food Aid Programs (DFAP), namely o in Niger ▪ Livelihoods, Agriculture and Health Interventions in Action (LAHIA) implemented by a consortium led by Save the Children International ▪ Sawki implemented by a Mercy Corps-led consortium ▪ Program for Support to Household Food Security (PASAM-TAI) implemented by a CRS-led consortium o In Burkina Faso ▪ Programme Faso implemented by a CRS-led consortium ▪ Victoire sur la Malnutrition (ViM) Projet implemented by an ACDI/VOCA-led consortium • The learning agenda procurement Sahel Resilience Learning (SAREL) project. • Non-USAID funded projects o IFAD-funded Projet d’Appui aux Filières Agricoles (PROFIL) implemented by the government in Burkina Faso o World Bank-funded Projet Régional d’Appui au Pastoralisme au Sahel (PRAPS) implemented by government Burkina Faso and Niger o World Food Program projects

To achieve its objectives, REGIS-AG is expected to work in tandem with these projects and others that focus in facilitating production activities related to the intensification of livestock and high potential crops operating in its target zones. As a result, REGIS-AG beneficiary producers’ organizations are POs supported by the partners. During the reporting period, REGIS-AG worked with 686 POs (195 in Burkina Faso and 310 in Niger). Annex 1 presents the distribution of these POs by value chain and by partner.

1.4 Overview of Value Chain Development Strategy REGIS-AG interventions focus on fostering inclusive economic development and competitiveness in the cowpea, poultry and small ruminant value chains in Burkina Faso and Niger. Through market-oriented, pro- poor interventions, REGIS-AG has the goal to reach 50,000 households and have the following impacts: (a) increasing household incomes by 50%, and (b) reducing poverty of vulnerable households by 20%, thereby strengthening household resilience to shocks. There are two sides to what these objectives imply. On the demand side, this implies changing the development trajectory of small marginalized producers by identifying opportunities within the value chain and demand in the markets (VC/End Market studies) and acting on what is required (work plan implementation) to shift these producers away from selling to collectors/intermediaries in thin local markets only, in favor of selling their products to external, more developed markets within their country and abroad on fairer terms, which will lift them out of poverty. On the supply side, REGIS-AG sister project REGIS-ER and other partners (in and outside the RISE consortium) support the production at the village and farm levels. Consequently, REGIS-AG cannot achieve its objectives without close and coordinated efforts with these projects; only together can these projects succeed in developing inclusive market systems that are resilient and beneficial to all.

To achieve this transformation, REGIS-AG interventions are focused on bringing about the kinds of systemic- level changes that would facilitate market linkages and product and process upgrading or allow them to take 21

place at scale. Such interventions address systemic issues which were identified in the value chain and end market analyses carried out at the beginning of the REGIS-AG project. The analysis concluded that marginalized producers (especially women) are consistently constrained from entering the targeted value chains or fully participating in their development. For this, REGIS-AG uses a value chain approach (VCA) and recognizes that the demand-drive approach is critical for success in value chain development. As a result, REGIS-AG VC development begins by focusing on demand and, more specifically, on the nature and character of demand. There are two important market dynamics that guide REGIS-AG VC activities.

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PART 2 – PROJECT PERFORMANCE – Level of Achievement in Q3of FY17 Expected Outputs

2.1. Component 1: Identify Opportunities through Value Chain and End-Markets Analysis Under the project’s Component 1, REGIS-AG focused on carrying out detailed analysis in the target value chains to identify opportunities for catalyzing necessary upgrading of product quality and stakeholders’ operations. After the completion of the initial project inception studies in Year 1 (Value Chain and End Market Analyses, Gender Assessment, etc.), additional complementary analyses have been carried out either to deepen understanding of issues or to refine project strategies.

2.1.1. Carrying out complementary studies During the reporting period, the project planned one complementary study focusing developing insurance products as presented in Table 1.

Table 1: List and status of market studies carried out during this reporting period Reference in the work plan Intervention during the quarter Activity Sub activity

Discussed with experts at the USAID Markets GLEE 4.6 Develop innovative 4.6.1. Conduct a study meeting held in Dakar on June 5-10, 2017. This insurance mechanisms on insurance products included experts from the University of California- and how they can be Davis. adapted to the small ruminant and poultry value chains Carried out a prospecting mission in Dakar (Senegal) between June 18-24, 2017 to meet the actors involved in the field of agricultural insurance, in order to:

• identify a company with the expertise to support REGIS-AG to carry out a feasibility study on agricultural insurance for the 3 value chains; • take note of the experience of Senegal in agricultural insurance; • inquire about difficulties and constraints in setting up agricultural insurance; • learn about the staging or preliminary activities necessary before launching the

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Reference in the work plan Intervention during the quarter Activity Sub activity

process of introducing an agricultural insurance.

The main take way from these exchanges is twofold: • Developing a workable insurance system is complex and requires full government involvement and resources REGIS-AG does not have. In addition, the scope of the program goes well beyond REGIS- AG geographical and value chain considerations. • REGIS-AG should focus on defining the risks inherent in introducing an agricultural insurance activity and to generate the information needed to develop a SoW for a consultancy, including data availability issues, enabling environment, and existence of necessary institutions. USAID will mobilize and fund a consultancy that will carry out the study with REGIS-AG support.

2.1.2. Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) During the reporting period, REGIS-AG’s contracted the consulting firm E-NoeTec Consulting to carry out the joint PERSUAP. The lead consultant, Alan Schroeder, was mobilized to carry out the field level assignment for developing a joint REGIS-AG/REGIS-ER PERSUAP. The consultant traveled to Niamey and Maradi between June 3 and 17 Travel and collected PERSUAP field information on crops/small ruminants, pests/diseases/weeds, preventive IPM tools/tactics, natural and artisanal pesticides, locally/regionally- registered and EPA-registered pesticide IPM tools. He met with many stakeholders, including REGIS-AG/ER staff, GON officials, pesticide importer/distributor pesticide retailers, and farmers. He also traveled to Ouagadougou and Dori between June 17 and July 3 to collect the same information for Burkina Faso. MThe first draft of the document is anticipated to be sent to USAID in Quarter 4, FY2017.

2.1.3. Sharpening the project intervention strategy In an effort to sharpen the project strategic focus to enhance effectiveness and project performance, REGIS- AG team held numerous meeting to deepen its approach to value chain development building on the new strategy document completed in Quarter 2, FY17. Given the low level of production of poultry and small ruminants in the target households, the low cowpea yields and the limited access to market of its beneficiaries, the project team concluded that particular emphasis must be placed on substantial and sustainable improvements in production while improving market access.

In effect, improving market access requires the aggregation of individual production and the strengthening of vertical and horizontal links (or relationships between players in the value chain). Based on this, REGIS- AG's support for the development of livestock and traditional agriculture practiced by beneficiaries has primarily been aimed at increasing their access to markets. Based on the experience of the last two years, to achieve increased access to markets, the project must remove the constraints that limit the relationships

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between the different actors in the value chain while facilitating the intensification of production. Excluding sales to buyers, the production distribution channel can be depicted as follows: Processors Producers’ Collectors Organizations Traders

The sustained and profitable increase in production should be considered during collaboration with the REGIS-ER and DFAP partner projects, which have the size, mandate and resources to increase production or serve as the push forces of the push-pull mechanism (with REGIS-AG as the pull towards the market). Vertical links must be strengthened by REGIS-AG by facilitating the development of buying and selling relationships through upgrading products and / or production or sales processes. Horizontal links are also developed by REGIS-AG through multi-faceted support to producers organized in cooperatives or associations, as this grouping reduces the cost of food and services (including financial and animal health services), creates economies of scale, and contributes to increasing the efficiency of livestock producers.

The intervention strategy of the project will consist of offering the actors of the target value chains a platform of connections and to support those of the actors who would be interested in entering business transactions to achieve their aspirations. This strategy is based on the observation that any intervention aimed at linking marginalized small producers to markets has little chance of success if undertaken at an individual producer level. It is also based on the recognition that the starting point for linking small actors to markets is to take account of the fact that these connections cannot be dictated by what the producers propose but rather by what the markets asks of those producers. Consequently, they must interact with buyers to know their needs.

Therefore, project support concerns the facilitation of upgrading producers' products (in terms of quantity and / or quality) and / or their production processes, while connecting them to identified buyers. This facilitation is done by means of interventions which have a push and pull effect, and are summarized in the following diagram:

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Processors Producers’ Collectors Organizations Traders Push-Pull effect

Push interventions: Pull interventions: Aimed at building up a minimum level of household Aimed at leveraging commercial incentives to assets that increases their capability to engage more facilitate more gainful participation in productively, creatively and proactively with other economic opportunities so they can continue market actors. These are interventions that: to improve their well-being beyond REGIS- AG life through sustained engagement in the o Improving production (e.g., through access to market These are interventions that : inputs, access to credit, trainings in good agricultural practices) o Promote less risky entry points (e.g., o Building market readiness skills (through skills meat versus live animals) training, mentorship, or input vouchers) o Lower barriers to market entry (e.g., through group purchasing and marketing o Improving “soft” skills such as confidence, schemes, development of agent networks negotiating, or relationship building, confidence or technology application that expand (e.g., through coaching, group exchanges) the geographical footprint of affordable o Building business linkages which requires services, product delivery or quality • Understanding and taking into consideration improvement, or facilitating access to market requirements credit or savings) • Facilitating aggregation o Strengthening risk management capacity (e.g., through diversification, access to SVPP, ...)

In this project strategy, priority is given to leveraged2 interventions such as animal health care services. These interventions are to be determined in a specific way only for the actors who have made commitments to purchase when making business connections. To this end, to meet this challenge of meeting these commitments, an analysis of all actors involved was conducted.

Facilitating market linkages involves bringing together actors (producers and potential buyers) identified in advance by the project and its partners based on the geographical location of their activities and their potential, and provide the opportunity to discuss the possibility of entering into a business transaction. These interactions take place within the space of a workshop. Exchanges between producers and buyers that have resulted in buying and selling intentions will be supported by the project with an action plan in order to remove the constraints that may limit the success of the transaction. Each action plan constitutes an activity of the project as schematized in the following diagram.

2 These are the actions likely to generate the greatest impact on value chain development. 26

Business linkage development workshop

Activity a Activity b Activity c Activity d

An action plan is drawn up for each of the selected production POs and is based on production and marketing plans and objectives. For purchasers and service providers (especially agrodealers and financing structures), the development of an action plan is carried out only when it is necessary, either to improve the quality of its production which increases customer loyalty (consumers) in order to enhance the sustainability of the market opportunity it represents for producers, or to increase its purchasing or service capacity. In all cases, the support addresses the constraints to be lifted which enable them to be able to buy from our POs or provide them with adequate services.

2.2. Component 2: Strengthen Linkages and Relationships in Selected Value Chains

Under Component 2, REGIS-AG focuses on improving market access and product aggregation functions by strengthening vertical and horizontal linkages or relationships among actors in the selected value chains (cowpea, small ruminants and poultry). The vertical linkages are strengthened by facilitating the development of buying and selling relationships to drive innovations and upgrading of products and/or processes. Horizontal linkages are developed through cooperatives, associations and informal groups that lower the cost of agro-inputs and services (including financial services), create economies of scale, and contribute to increased efficiency.

2.2.1. Cowpea Value Chain Cowpea is the most important crop in the REGIS-AG project zone, with over 50% of production exported. It is produced by smallholder producers as a source of food for households and also for commercial purposes. The cowpea value chain faces several constraints, notably high rainfall variability, decreases in soil fertility, access to improved seeds, and disease and pests. In spite of these constraints, cowpea production has steadily increased in Burkina Faso and Niger over the past 20 years and has become an important source of income for both countries. The nutritional benefits of cowpea are significant; it contains essential proteins

27 and amino acids important for human growth3. In addition to facilitating access to market for cowpea beans, improving small-scale cowpea processing and marketing of processed products will contribute to increasing the incomes of women involved in this sector and enhance of their capacities to face and resist income shocks.

During Q3FY17, activities carried out in the cowpea value chain focused on (i) organizing and participating in cowpea promotional days, (ii) building business linkages between producers and buyers (traders and processors) and developing support plans to ensure that deals agreed upon are effectively fulfilled, (iii) training cowpea OP in marketing and negotiations skills, (iv) conduct feasibility studies on cowpea processing, and (v) training producers on good production practices.

Activity 2.1: Plan and implement cowpea market fairs and meetings

a) Sub activity 2.1.2: Organize Cowpea Days in each country Organization of 2 Cowpea Promotion Days in Fada and Dori, Burkina Faso The REGIS-AG team met with the Regional Chamber of Commerce (CRA) in Fada and in Dori to request that CRA coordinate and host the cowpea promotional days. The team also met with the Governor of the Eastern Region and the Governor of the Sahel Region to invite and involve the administration and local authorities in the events. REGIS-AG, through CRS, signed a partnership agreement with the respective CRAs to organize and manage the events the according to the activities and budget submitted.

In Fada, the cowpea promotional days were held on April 12-14, Jim Parys, Representative for the 2017. The Regional Governor chaired the opening ceremony and Ambassador of the United States to was supported by the USAID Resident Representative in Burkina Burkina Faso Faso, representing the Ambassador of the United States to Burkina Faso. During these three days, various actors - producers, processors, traders / exporters, suppliers - established business contacts and opportunities. Cowpea processors presented local dishes accompanied by tasting sessions, which allowed the participants to appreciate the quality of the dishes presented and the professionalism of the processors. Table 1 shows the results of sales during the Fada promotional days.

Several project partners including PRRIA4, PCESA5, DGPER6, attended the event and contributed in-kind donations to award the best cowpea producers and processors. The main lesson learned was that farmers do not have sufficient access to markets to sell their grain.. For example, out of more than 10 tonnes of

3 The protein in cowpea seed is rich in the amino acids, lysine and tryptophan, compared to cereal grains; however, it is deficient in methionine and cysteine when compared to animal proteins. Therefore, cowpea seed is valued as a nutritional supplement to cereals and an extender of animal proteins. Source: https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/cowpea.html 4 Project to Strengthen Resilience to Food Insecurity in Burkina Faso 5 Economic Growth Program in the Agricultural Sector 6 General Directorate for the Promotion of Rural Economy 28 cowpeas exhibited during these promotional days, only 3.5 tonnes of cowpeas were sold during Fada promotional days for a total of F CFA 1,172,500.

In Dori, the cowpea promotional days were held on May 4-6, 2017. The opening ceremony was chaired by the Secretary General of the Sahel Region. During these three days, the various actors: producers, processors, traders / exporters, suppliers were able to establish business contacts and opportunities between them. A total of 34 cowpea producer organizations, 16 processors, and 2 input suppliers and distributors participated in the cowpea promotional days with product exhibitions. Table 1 shows the sales made during the promotional days in Fada and Dori. The Environmental Institute for Agricultural Research in Burkina Faso took advantage of the fair to present new varieties of cowpea seeds available in the Sahel. A contest for best producers, best transformers, and best culinary meals also took place in Dori and was organized by CRA and awards provided by partners PCESA, DGPER, and The Governor presenting a prize to an award winner PRRIA.

Table 2: Cowpea promotional days participation and sales figures Participants Sales Amounts Location Date Total Women Fcfa USD Fada April 11-14 73 34 1,172 500 2,039 Dori May 4-6 53 36 274,750 478 Total 126 70 1,447,250 2,517

The fairs successfully mobilized local authorities (administrators, farmers, village chiefs, decentralized state services, defense and security forces, etc.) which increases the visibility of the fair, as well as many other actors positioned throughout the cowpea value chain.

b) Sub activity 2.3.1: Organize 3 workshops in each country to promote group sales, allowing for significant reductions in transaction costs and increasing potential for relationship-based production and marketing

Given the low productivity of cowpeas in the project’s target households, with low levels of market access, the project’s intervention strategy involved creating a platform for linking and supporting the different value chain actors who are all interested in doing business in the cowpea sector. The project has tried to upgrade production and processing in terms of quality and volume, while helping producers build connections with pre-identified buyers. This is done using “push and pull” interventions.

During Q3FY17, REGIS-AG organized three market linkage workshops in Niger, first in Maradi (June 8 to 11) and then simultaneously in Tillabéri and Zinder (June 13-17). The three workshops consisted of 118 cowpea producers (including 44 women), 36 potential buyers (15 traders, including 2 women, and 21 processors), and 16 agrodealers.

29 The objectives of the workshops were to: • Determine purchasing intentions and cowpea volumes for direct transactions between producers and traders; • Identify the aggregation/collection points for the POs represented, for transactions through warrantage; • Draw up plans to support the various players who will have agreed to enter into transactions during these meetings, with a view to their implementation.

In the three regions, the workshops took place in three phases: • Expression of the needs of potential buyers followed by B2B sessions, • Planning PO production in order to fulfill their commitments; • Producing plans for the actors (producers and buyers) who have agreed to enter into transactions.

In total, 68 support plans are being finalized for linking 13 potential buyers to 55 cowpea POs who have agreed to do business. The breakdown of these transactions is presented in the following table:

Table 3: Breakdown of elements addressed in action plans Number of Quantity of cowpeas required (T) Region Buyer PO clients Grain Seed Maradi 6 28 558 0 Tillabéri 4 9 215 138 Zinder 3 18 1,910 97 Total 13 55 2,683 335

The support plans will be finalized in Q4FY17, and their implementation will start during the same period. They will focus on facilitating PO’s access to credit for buying inputs, linking them with agrodealers, and technical advice in terms of good production practices. This is being carried out with the support of partner projects, REGIS-ER and DFAP. Processor support plans will focus on strengthening their production capacity, improving the quality of their processed cowpea products (including packaging), and accessing the national and regional markets in the short and medium term.

Activity 2.2: Conduct feasibility studies on processing a) Sub activity 2.2.1: Select best products and promote new products at 2 market fairs or tasting events in each country

Preliminary results of the GRET study on processed cowpea products in Burkina Faso After the scoping meeting with the team in charge of the study, the team leader from GRET met with many actors involved in cowpea transformation in order to pre-select processed cowpea products with strong development potential and identify their consumption patterns.

At the end of the tour, five (5) products were pre-selected and will be the subject of tasting sessions with about ten people representative of the products’ target customers. These tasting sessions will enable product-selection with the best potential for adaptation to the customer taste preferences, added value for processors, and technical feasibility. Subsequently, an economic analysis of the selected products will be carried out for the final choice of the products to be promoted. 30

The pre-selected products are either finished products for direct consumption (e.g. baby cereal, cookies) or semi-finished products which can be used by households (e.g. domestic processing flour into crackers or into porridge for children) or artisanal processors. It is important to note the following :

1. Baby cereal: There is a study of potential market opportunities in the Sahel region, but the product already exists and is offered in the other zones (Central and North-Eastern regions). The potential for development of this product in these regions remains low and the market does not allow for the immediate development or implementation of other processing units. 2. Roasted cowpea flour : After the cowpea is roasted, it’s milled into flour. This flour is intended for domestic or artisan production of donuts, couscous, pancakes/ baby cereal patties, pasta (gonré), and bread. This product has a high potential for development. 3. Cookies: For these products, different recipes already tested by processing units or DTA7 already exist. These products could be of interest to consumers in urban centers 4. Bread: This product has an interesting potential for development due to the increased consumption of bread for all consumers. 5. Spaghetti and other pasta: Originally these products seemed to have few prospects, but several processors have claimed that these products sell well at fairs, which is also the experience of REGIS-AG.

In addition to the pre-selected products, the study highlighted the different consumption patterns for cowpea which are outlined as follows:

1. Cowpea consumption in rural areas: The market for products processed in rural areas seems limited due to a high level of household-consumption, the custom to process certain traditional products within the household, and limited purchasing power of the rural population. In this environment, the products to be promoted could be biscuits and breads made from compound flour, baby cereal, etc. 2. Consumption of cowpeas in urban areas: Consumption patterns are more diversified in urban areas and there are more significant market opportunities. Several dishes are based on cowpea flour and, to a lesser extent, on cowpeas, which could constitute products to be marketed. Raising awareness and promoting products with a high market potential should be promoted in urban areas. Cowpea grain as a replacement for yellow corn flour in school canteens is potential market for domestic production.

Activity 2.4: Promoting competitiveness in end markets

a) Sub-activity 2.4.1 Train exporters and OPs on marketing and negotiation skills

7 Department of Food Technology at Institute of Applied Sciences and Technologies 31

Training 106 promoters including 55 women in commercial negotiation and pricing techniques in Burkina Faso

During the last quarter, REGIS-AG provided training on trade negotiation and pricing techniques for cowpea in Kaya, Fada, and Dori. In Kaya and Fada, 75 representatives (ReComs8) of POs attended, and in Dori, 106 cowpea farmers, including 55 women, participated in the training. The topics covered in this course were: (i) price definition, (ii) price characteristics, (iii) price types, and (iv) product life cycle and evolution. The ReComs present will replicate these trainings for their respective POs under the supervision of the cowpeas coordinators of AGED and A2N.

Collaboration between REGIS-AG and WFP The World Food Program requested support from REGIS-AG for capacity building training for agricultural production union leaders. This training took place from June 12 to 24, 2017 and covered the standards, quality, and pricing of foodstuffs. In total 120 participants were trained, 30 in each location (Gayéri, Boulsa, and two trainings in Kaya), who will in turn train 50 PO union members. Eventually, 6,000 households will be reached.

b) Sub activity 2.4.5 Train cowpea producers in Burkina and Niger on good production practices for export

Training 305 beneficiaries including 236 women on good production practices and export standards for cowpea in Burkina Faso In June 2016, REGIS-AG strengthened the capacities of 57 PO leaders (trainers), including 11 women, by providing training on good production practices for export. During this training session, the following topics were discussed: (i) importance of cowpea (ii) production technical practices, (iii) diseases and pests and their management, (iv) conservation techniques, and (v) procedures and standards for exporting cowpea to Burkina Faso. This training was replicated for 134 POs during the quarter and reached 305 beneficiaries, including 236 women. Among these beneficiaries, 37 including 15, are from REGIS-ER.

Activity 2.5: Promote competitiveness in end markets

a) Sub activity 2.5.1: Train cowpea producers in BF and Niger on good production practices for export During the reporting period, REGIS-AG organized a refresher training on good production practices carried out in Q2FY16 for 142 trainers (108 producers and 34 public sector extension agents). A total of 889 producers are being trained by these trainers in the three regions. The training will be completed in Q4FY17.

2.2.2. Small Ruminants Value Chain The livestock industry in Niger and Burkina Faso is an important economic activity with a long tradition in both countries. Small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, fulfill a major role in the livelihood strategies, food

8 Relais Communautaires 32

security, and economic activities for both men and women throughout the local communities. REGIS-AG is primarily focused on linking producers to buyers of live animals through local and international fairs as well as through business to business platforms. In addition, the project undertakes interventions aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of value-added products such as dried and fresh meat, milk and cheese, and hides and skins.

During Q3 FY17, activities carried out focused on facilitating participation of project beneficiaries at the FIARA in Dakar a post – FIARA, and conducting the study on the processing of goat's milk.

Activity 2.7: Develop commercial relations between producers and livestock buyers a) Sub activity 2.7.4: Facilitate actors' participation to international fairs

13 beneficiaries participate in FIARA from 28 March to 16 April in Dakar The International Fair of Agriculture and Animal Resources (FIARA) is an annual event organized in Senegal by the National Council for Cooperation and Cooperation of Rural People (CNCR) and the Senegalese Association for the Promotion of Development (APRODEB). During its 18th edition, REGIS-AG facilitated the participation of 10 representatives from Niger and 3 from Burkina Faso in collaboration with its partners REGIS-ER, SAWKI, PASAM-TAI. For the 10 participants from Niger, the objective REGIS-AG delegation visit to the office of the Minister of Livestock in Senegal with the Executive Secretary of FIARA was to market 770 animals9 transported in 7 trucks from Niamey and to strengthen ties with potential buyers. The animals presented were 553 sheep (414 Balami, 110 Ouda, 28 Ara-ara, and 1 Koundoum) and 217 red goats which came from 577 beneficiaries, including 402 women, representing 29 POs from the various project partners (REGIS-ER, SAWKI, PASAM- TAI, AREN, and IP / BVCP). The delegation also had 100 kg of kilichi. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the REGIS-AG team in Burkina Faso and a Malian deputy facilitated animal transit from Niger to Dakar to ensure that there were no problems with police officers or customs during transit. All the 770 animals and the 100 kg kilichi were sold at the fair at remunerative prices and this enabled the beneficiaries to achieve a revenue of 63,289,450 F CFA (approximately $108,558). For the representatives of Burkina Faso, the objective was to advertise their animals and connect with potential buyers in Dakar. To achieve this, REGIS-AG developed 15 large-format info-sheets that presented the animals’ characteristics (area, size, profile, color and meat yield). Before their departure, a framing meeting was held between the project team and the FIARA participants to discuss the objectives of their participation as well as the logistics of the trip. A prior meeting in April with potential participants enabled

9 From Niamey, the delegation had 776 heads, however 6 died during transport.

33 the project team to finalize who would participate. Participants expressed appreciation for attending the fair which enabled them to discover a new market and to make many contacts with potential buyers. The actors found that the Dakar market is a promising market in terms of the high price for small ruminant purchases.10 They also noted the high price for agroindustrial by-products. Follow-up on two orders received by beneficiaries following their participation in FIARA From April to June 2017, REGIS-AG followed up on two orders received by project beneficiaries following their participation in the 18th edition of FIARA in Dakar in April 2017. During the FIARA fair, the Senegalese Minister of Livestock expressed interest in ordering 20,000 heads of sheep for the Dakar Tabaski fair, and National Association of Professionals of Meat And livestock from Senegal (ANPROVBS) ordered 500 pairs of goats red (1000 heads) from REGIS-AG POs. To facilitate the completion of these orders, REGIS-AG held three meetings at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Niger. The first meeting took place with the Deputy Minister to obtain the consent of the authorities of Niger. He expressed his gratitude to the project and USAID and facilitated an introduction to the Secretary General (SG). Subsequently, the project met with the SG twice, and from these meetings emerged a preparatory and follow-up committee as well as the SG’s direct contact with his counterpart in Senegal to discuss the terms and conditions of the potential order. To achieve this, REGIS-AG has linked the two Secretary Generals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Niger and Senegal by e-mail. Exchanges are under way and the project will support the implementation of the decisions to be taken by the two countries.

With regard to the order of the 500 pairs of red goats, it is the second time REGIS-AG beneficiaries received this type of order. The first of this type took place in November 2016 for 350 pairs of red goats. For this new order, exchanges between the project, the POs and ANPROVBS are in progress. They should lead to the completion of the transaction at the latest in Q1 FY18. The role of the project is limited to accompanying the POs in the mobilization of the animals and during the contracting phase.

Activity 2.9 Promote the development of small ruminants processed milk

a) Sub-Activity 2.9.1 et 4.3.2 « Educating women about hygiene and equipment innovative technologies» « Select opportunities with high potential for process and product upgrading» In mid-May 2017, REGIS-AG organized two workshops to verify the findings of the study on goat milk transformation into cheese, originally completed in Q1FY17. The objective of the study was to (i) identify opportunities for improved production and conservation of small ruminant milk cheese, (ii) document market opportunities for different types of cheese, and (iii) identify niche markets for better commercial positioning and sales diversification toward target populations. The discussions included processors who participated in the original study in Takeita, Zinder region and in Filingué, Tillaberi region. The workshop gathered 10 women from 2 OPs (Tatalin Daourawa and Kama Hanoua Jouna) in Takeita and 10 other women from 2 OPs (NIIMA AFPEN WELI group and Toukounous GIE) in Filingué, including 5 women from each

10 For example, a sheep for 50,000 Fcfa (US $ 86) in Niger was 120,000 Fcfa (US $ 206) at the fair and others for 8,000 to 10,000 Fcfa (US $ 14-17) amounted to 60,000 Fcfa (US $ 103).

34

OP. The exchanges that took place during these workshops made it possible to finalize the report of the study. The main concern identified by this study is the poor quality of cheese produced (Tchoukou) due to poor hygienic conditions during milk processing. Therefore, the project plans to organize a training for women regarding hygiene and quality of milk processing for Tchoukou in Q1FY18.

b) Sub-activity 2.9.2 Support the promotion of a range of simple, adapted and accessible packaging

Conduct of the study on the processing of goat milk in Burkina Faso During the last quarter, REGIS-AG through SNV, signed a contract with IABER to conduct a study on processing goat's milk. The process started with a framing and appropriation meeting, then a team from IABER collected information for the study through a questionnaire prepared beforehand. They collected data in REGIS-AG covered areas and held meetings with various stakeholders involved in the small ruminant value chain. The data collected were analyzed and the team produced an interim report. The workshop to validate the findings of this study is scheduled for next quarter.

2.2.3. Poultry Value Chain In Burkina Faso and Niger, traditional poultry farming is practiced by more than 90% of rural households and constitutes an important source of cash for basic household needs and emergencies. In the project areas, poultry farming is mainly carried out by women for whom it is one of the few opportunities they have for savings, investment and protection against risk. Consumer preference for local poultry results in a high demand for poultry products (eggs, chicken and guinea fowl in urban centers) in all periods (holidays, various ceremonies and regular off-seasons). There is an established farm to market system with experienced collectors and dealers going to producer markets and buying poultry for the end markets in larger towns and cities. However, the poultry sector is characterized by the lack of proper hygiene and biosecurity measures throughout the value chain which causes high mortality and reduces the profit margin because stakeholders lack required management tools, have poor access to credit and are poorly organized when faced by epidemics. This is compounded by competition from imported frozen chicken and table eggs. To upgrade the value chain, REGIS-AG interventions have focused the following: • Promoting the practice of vaccination and moving poultry health services closer to producers • Strengthening poultry associations. • Training collectors and roasters on bio-security and hygiene. • Developing market linkages for producers for value-added activities • Strengthening coordination of stakeholders in poultry value chain.

The main activities carried out during the third quarter of 2017 under the poultry value chain of Component 2 concern the following activities in accordance with the plan for this quarter: • Train members on poultry management and production skills in the Zinder region; • Train members of POs to produce poultry feed in the Zinder region; • Train poultry value chain actors on entrepreneurship in the regions of Maradi and Zinder 35

• Organize market linkages workshops between OP producers and trader/collector organizations • Support the organization of poultry fairs for members of POs • Facilitate access by processors and collectors to better processing and preservation equipment

Activity 2.12: Improve poultry production of PO members a) Sub activity 2.12.1: Train members of poultry OPs on poultry management and technical production skills, and Sub activity 2.12.2: Train members of POs to produce poultry feed In Niger, under this sub-activity, three (3) training sessions were organized for four (4) POs from the Zinder region11. The main objective of these trainings was to support the POs in drawing up quarterly poultry production and marketing plans, and to connect them to the market. At the end of the workshop, PO members were trained on the following topics:

• Production techniques (hygiene measures, different avian diseases (avian influenza, Newcastle disease, nutritional diseases and internal parasites) and the importance of the henhouse; Participants in the training • The manufacture of poultry feed from locally available products.

The training sessions on production techniques were organized over two (2) days at each site and saw the participation of 105 members from 4 POs representing 97 beneficiary households as shown in the table below:

Table 4: Distribution of Workshop Participants Number of participants Number of Partners Village Total Women Men POs represented represented Banima 1 26 6 20 1 REGIS-ER Groum Kafi 12 7 5 1 REGIS-ER Falki Baba 33 14 19 1 SAWKI Fotoro Haoussa 34 16 18 1 SAWKI Total 105 42 63 4

Training on poultry feed manufacturing was conducted over one day at each site and involved the same participants.

a) Sub activity 2.12.5: Sensitize producers to vaccinate their birds against Newcastle disease through awareness campaigns Support to the organization of a vaccination campaign against Newcastle disease in Niger

11 This same activity was carried out in Maradi and Tillaberi in Q2FY17

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To reduce poultry farmers’ vulnerability to disease and thereby increase their incomes, REGIS-AG supported the organization of an awareness-raising campaign on vaccination against Newcastle disease during the reporting period. The campaign was organized and conducted by all 10 SVPP networks the project works with in Niger (3 in Maradi region, 2 in Zinder and 5 in Tillabéri) based on MOUs they signed with the project for the activity. REGIS-AG funded the campaign and the veterinarians provided the vaccines that were used. These were sold to farmers at 50 F CFA/bird. Several awareness raising sessions were conducted through community radios, to urge producers to vaccinate their poultry against this disease. A total of 1,919 households vaccinated their birds (486 in Dakoro, 125 in Tillabéri, 99 in Magaria and 1209 in Filingue) which improves productivity, considering that 80% to 100% of the birds often die in the event of an outbreak.

Activity 2.13: Strengthen trade relations between poultry producers and buyers a) Sub activity 2.13.3: Train poultry value chains actors on entrepreneurship

In Niger, REGIS-AG organized two training sessions on entrepreneurship and management for the benefit of members of the Poultry Value Chain, including collectors and processors, and poultry POs from Maradi and Zinder12. The objective of this training was to strengthen their marketing and management capacities in order to transform them from a simple Income Generating Activity (AGR) to a real company that is also capable of creating jobs. In total, 71 members, including 21 women, from 35 POs participated in the training, representing 67 beneficiary households. The capacities of the actors were thus reinforced in the following areas: • Entrepreneurship; • The basics of marketing (handling clients, 4Ps of marketing); • Cost calculations; • Simplified accounting (GERME journal, expenditure book and receipts); • The simplified operating account; • The procedures for accessing institutional markets (restaurants, hotels).

In Q4 of FY17, the project team will follow up with these beneficiaries to ensure the correct application of the knowledge acquired and, if necessary, provide additional support through coaching.

b) Sub activity 2.13.4: Organize market linkages workshops between OP producers and trader/collector organizations To enhance the training POs received under sub-activities 2.12.1 and 2.12.2, the project organized the two activities below in Zinder13 following the training:

• Connecting collectors or buyers of local poultry to organized groups (e.g. POs, cooperatives, etc) for periodic sales; • Connecting POs with SVPP networks to prepare plans for vaccination by group or by village.

12 This same activity was carried out in Q2FY17 in Tillaberi 13 This same activity was carried out in Q2FY17 in Maradi and Tillaberi 37

These contacts involved exchanges between the 105 members of the 4 POs who participated in the training sessions with eight (8) poultry collectors previously identified by these POs. At the end of their exchanges, each of the 4 POs agreed with at least one collector to supply poultry. To achieve this goal, each of the POs has set for itself a production target, and REGIS- AG will support them to achieve these objectives through a plan designed to reduce the constraints the producers face. For each PO, production objectives were set with the support of the project based on an assessment of its potential. The table below shows the commitments per village and per year, which correspond to a cumulative forecast revenue of 18,105,000 FCFA (US $31,055). This support started A vaccinator (AE) servicing a household in Q3 of FY17.

Table 5: PO production objectives Average Annual Annual Annual price Name of Number of potential Village production production obtained per PO members revenue of by member of the PO chicken(F PO(F CFA) CFA) Nazari Droum-kafi 13 102 1,326 1,250 1,657,500 Sarka Banima 1 29 102 2,958 1,250 3,697,500 daraja Zumuntchi Fotoro 45 102 4,590 1,250 5,737,500 Haoussa Alhéri Falki Babba 55 102 5,610 1,250 7,012,500 Total 142 14,484 18,105,000

In addition to these contacts, during this quarter REGIS-AG organized three (3) workshops in Niger to establish links between 19 poultry production centers, collectors, and potential buyers (roasters/restaurants). These three workshops were attended by 118 members, including 68 women and 50 men representing 116 beneficiary households and 31 producer POs. These 31 POs include the 4 that took part in the above-mentioned meetings. The remaining POs had participated in similar meetings in Maradi and Tillabéri in Q2FY17. Among them were 6 large poultry buyers.

The objective of these workshops was to bring together the 31 POs with 6 large buyers invited by the project to facilitate periodic and regular poultry group sales. During these workshops, 5 clusters were formed according to their proximity to the buyers (2 for Tillabéri, 3 for Maradi and 1 for Zinder) in order to supply them with live poultry.

As a result of these linkage workshops, REGIS-AG carried out post-activity evaluations of these POs and potential buyers, in order to draw up plans to support them in removing the bottlenecks that could limit the successful completion of these transactions. These plans are being finalized and will be implemented in Q4 FY17, in collaboration with REGIS-ER and DFAP partners, in particular on production aspects.

Market linkage workshop in Dori, Burkina Faso

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In Burkina Faso, one market linkage workshop took place in Dori, and two more similar workshops are planned for the following quarter. At the workshop 14 POs and 7 buyers (5 traders and 2 processors) participated which resulted in transaction agreements between 4 POs with 2 buyers (one collector called Daarja and one processor known as Poulet Drogba), producing 6 draft action plans.

During this workshop, the "B to B" approach made it possible to determine the potential demand and supply of the various actors. Therefore, the 14 poultry groups have a potential supply of 3,914 heads poultry estimated at 9,990,500 FCFA against a request expressed by two buyers for 4,910 heads of poultry estimated at 11,638,100 FCFA ($20,670 USD). Below is a diagram outlining the current agreement between four (4) POs and two buyers. Over the course of the next quarter, more POs will be encouraged to join the agreement.

Poultry PO Collector Processor

1. Wari Nafi

2. Potale DAARJA POULET DROGBA 3. Outiennou Can buy 250 heads/day and Can buy 50 heads/day and planning to increase to 400 planning to increase to 100 4. Baawa by2020. by 2020.

Can produce 423 heads/month and planning to increase to 725 by 2020

c) Sub activity 2.13.5 : Support the organization of poultry fairs for members of POs

The third edition of the poultry fair in Maradi, Tillaberi, and Zinder

In Niger, REGIS-AG in collaboration with its partners (REGIS-ER, SAWKI and LAHIA) organized the third edition of the poultry fair in Maradi, Tillabéri and Zinder. These simultaneous fairs took place from June 21- 23, 2017 under the patronage of the Governor of each of the three regions. The aim was to offer REGIS- AG's target OPs direct sales opportunities, introduce them to new production techniques and technologies, and enable them to forge win-win partnerships with actors operating across the value chain. In addition to opportunities for selling poultry, poultry food, and veterinary products and equipment, these fairs were marked by lectures/info-session addressing production conditions for guinea fowl in the rainy season and how to best monitor their care in order to significantly increase household incomes. The main subjects addressed during the info sessions included selecting fertile eggs, and feeding and monitoring guinea fowl chicks during the first four weeks. A total of 222 participants from 70 OPs and input and equipment companies participated in this third edition. They represented 198 beneficiary households.

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In addition, according to REGIS-AG's value chain strategy, three workshops were held on the organization of fairs for local structures (CRA, Chambers of Commerce and Technical Services) with the aim of strengthening their capacity to organize fairs, so that they can organize the 2018 edition with the support of REGIS-AG and its partners.

In terms of direct sales made during the fairs by the various exhibitors, 3,660 of the 4,133 chickens exhibited were sold. Similarly, 4,156 guinea fowl were sold out of 4,562 exhibited. Examples of display cases presented at the poultry fair This activity, which is highly appreciated by project beneficiaries and local authorities, generated 26,778,150 CFA francs (or approximately US $45,932) in poultry sales. The distribution of these revenues by region is presented in the following table:

Table 6: Sales analysis for poultry fairs in 2017 Other Chickens Pintade Total Sales Region sales Number Number Sales (F CFA) Number Number Sales (F CFA) (Fcfa) (F CFA) Offered Sold Offered Sold Tillabéri 584 527 1,237,750 1,102 1,094 3,826,500 107,300 5,171,550 Maradi 2,662 2,321 5,298,850 2,419 2,027 7,692,800 710,750 13,702,400 Zinder 887 812 1,974,250 1,041 1,035 4,300,000 1,629,950 7 904,200 Total 4,133 3,660 8,510,850 4,562 4,156 15,819,300 2,448,000 26 778 150

Comparing poultry presented and sold, guinea fowl sales percentages (91%) is higher than that of chicken (89%). This suggests that the consumption of guinea fowl is at least as important as chickens in Niger. They are less susceptible to Newcastle disease than chickens, and are usually purchased at a higher price. As a result, REGIS-AG and its partners should further support the production of guinea fowl in order to increase production, in particular by improving the technology for and promoting the use of brooders and resale of guinea fowl to households.

2,072,000 FCFA (US $ 3,554) of poultry sold by Burkina Faso poultry producers at the cowpea promotional days

On the sidelines of the cowpea promotion days organized from 12 to 14 April in Fada, the REGIS-AG team took advantage of Easter eve to facilitate the participation of poultry producers over these days so that they could do business. REGIS-AG facilitated the participation of 4 poultry producer organizations, a poultry collector and trader organization, and a poultry production support organization, namely the Poultry Production Center (CPAVI) of Fada N'Gourma. This enabled the poultry producers to sell 912 birds out of a total of 940 presented, generating a turnover of 2,072,000 FCFA (or approximately US $ 3,554). In addition to these direct sales, CPAVI have made numerous contacts which will allow them to strengthen their poultry business activities. 40

Activity 2.14: Improve the competitiveness of poultry processing

a) Sub activity 2.14.2 Facilitate access by processors and collectors to better processing and preservation equipment In Niger, REGIS-AG and partners have exhibited at poultry fairs with a view to improving awareness of the actors in the poultry marketing and processing sector, by taking into account the importance of the hygiene in poultry production.

The fairs exhibited innovative equipment such as stand-up poultry sales cages, and show cases of slaughtered and grilled poultry. The objective was to assist equipment manufacturers to obtain orders.

The follow-up of this activity will be done during the fourth quarter, and will allow REGIS-AG to get more information on the number of actors in the poultry value chain that that are starting to use this new equipment.

2.3. Component 3: Strengthen Input Supply and other Supporting Services and Improve Smallholder and Agro-Pastoralist Access to Interconnected Markets REGIS-AG Component 3 interventions focus on strengthening capacities in agricultural input supply and support services which improve access to interconnected markets for small-scale producers and agropastoral populations. REGIS-AG builds up on previous work in this sector to stimulate the supply of and increase access to inputs and services for target populations.

2.3.1. Cowpea Inputs and Services During this past quarter, REGIS-AG continued to implement the capacity-building plan (developed in FY16) for agricultural input distributors. The project also supported traders to structure their businesses and created a national forum on livestock feed. As part of the promotion of livestock feed, REGIS-AG organized a fair in collaboration with partners and facilitated linking different actors involved in the distribution of agricultural inputs and livestock feed. The project also contracted a consultant to carry out the PERSUAP study in Burkina Faso and Niger.

Activity 3.1: Provide business management and technical training to agrodealers and traders of animal feed

a) Sub activity 3.1.2. Train input dealers and livestock traders respectively on knowledge and use of inputs (plant and animal)

Training 99 agricultural input distributors in Burkina Faso 41 To reach the maximum beneficiaries, REGIS-AG adopted the ToT (training of trainers) approach to build capacity for agricultural input distributors. From April 18 to 22, 2017 REGIS-AG trained nine (9) trainers in Dori, Kaya and Fada, who then trained 100 basic input distributors, including 5 women, identified by REGIS-AG. The trainers used the training manuals developed by Bless Professional and Strategies Consulting Group (BPS). The training addressed the following topics: (i) technical Participants at the training session in Fada knowledge of certified improved seed, seed law, production, and marketing conditions, (ii) technical knowledge of fertilizer and inputs and good practices for fertilizer use, (iii) good production and conservation practices for cowpea and the use of PICS bags, (iv) management of input shops and (v) technical knowledge of small ruminants and poultry feed, from production to food distribution, and good procurement, management, storage, and marketing practices.

Before each session, participants completed an information sheet identifying many things including their location, various products sold and expectations from the training. The table below summarizes the participants who took part in the training in each location.

Table 7: Number of participants by location

Region Men Women Total Kaya 31 4 35 Fada 36 0 36 Dori 27 1 28

Total 94 5 99

Facilitators used PowerPoint presentations and participatory training techniques to help ensure that content was absorbed. Participants also visited input stores to strengthen learner’s theoretical understanding and reinforce their practical knowledge of input shop management. Concepts covered include: store organization and management, sales counter set-up, product storage on shelves, compliance with regulations for conventional storage, product classification, and shop management tools.

At the end of each training, participants completed an evaluation sheet developed by the REGIS-AG team. The points assessed included: (i) technical content, (ii) logistical aspects, (iii) duration of training, and (iv) appraisal of the trainers’ performance.

Preparing the training for agricultural input distributors in Niger

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To train agricultural input distributors in Niger similarly as completed in Burkina Faso, the project team developed TORs and discussed with the Strengthening Agricultural Input Supplier Association (RAFIA14) project the different ways they can collaborate in the implementation of the training. The project has also continued talks with Agricultural Input Distributer Association of Niger (ADIA15 Niger) to designate the persons who will lead the first stage of the ToT, who will then train other input distributors. Training sessions for trainers and core distributors will take place during the last quarter FY17.

Activity 3.3: Promote appropriate technologies for production, cowpea protection and the use of improved cowpea varieties and seeds

As part of promoting technologies to intensify cowpea production in Burkina Faso and Niger, REGIS-AG planned activities to train 30 seed producers in rural communities. Because of the widespread use of pesticides, the implementation of these two activities is conditional on the completion of the PERSUAP16 report. During this quarter, REGIS-AG signed a contract with a E-NoeTec Consulting (Alan Schroeder) who carried out a field mission to Niger (5 to 16 June 2017) and Burkina Faso (17 June to 3 July 2017).

This mission identified pests and diseases for cowpeas, associated crops, other crops promoted by REGIS- ER. The mission also assessed the risks of contamination related to the use of pesticides. This work has strongly involved agricultural inputs and services specialists in Niger and Burkina Faso. The report of this study will be submitted to USAID the next quarter.

Activity 3.4 : Strengthen market linkages between distributors of agricultural inputs and OP

a) Sub activity 3.4.1 Organize meetings between agrodealers and producer groups from focal areas Multi-stakeholder workshop on animal feed in Burkina Faso The small ruminants value chain study carried out by REGIS-AG in 2015 highlighted the difficulties of access to livestock feed by beneficiaries and the need for beneficiaries to undertake joint purchases to reduce costs. Given the central role of livestock feed in improving livestock performance, REGIS-AG, in collaboration with IFDC's Support Program for the Modernization of Agricultural Farm Family Farmers (PAMEFA)17 funded by Swiss Cooperation Office (BUCO) 18 in Burkina Faso, have worked toward improving access to cattle feed. The two projects organized a multi-stakeholder workshop May 4-5th, 2017 with 43 participants, including 9 women, in Kaya to discuss the problems related to livestock food supply systems, supply mechanisms, feed distribution and how various actors in various links of the value chain are organized.

14 Renforcement des Association des Fournisseurs d’Intrants Agricoles 15 Association des Distributeurs d’Intrants Agricoles du Niger 16 Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan 17 Programme d’Appui à la Modernisation des Exploitants Familiales Agricoles 18 Bureau de la Coopération Suisse, or Swiss Cooperation Office 43

The workshop began with three speeches delivered respectively by Mr. Bassolé Dominique of REGIS-AG, Mr. Ouédraogo Abdoulaye of IFDC-PAMEFA and Mr. Nyantudré Moussa, Provincial Director of Animal and Fish Resources (DRRAH)19, and Regional Director of DRRAH from the North Central Region, who gave the key note address. Dr. Ouattara, Director of the Center for the Promotion of Village Poultry (CPAVI)20 and Mr. Ouédraogo Abdoulaye, Coordinator of the PAMEFA project were selected to moderate the forum for the participants. The workshop presentations addressed the following: (i) regulation and national policy on livestock feed, (ii) livestock feed requirements, (iii) supply mechanisms and current organization of the actors in the cattle feed distribution chain, and (iv) financial products for the actors in the livestock feed value chain. A question and answer section followed the presentations, then working groups were formed for each topic. They are organized as follows: • Group 1: comprised of those primary engaged in the production of livestock feed worked on: (i) identification of livestock feed produced and sold, (ii) identification of key stakeholders, (iii) weaknesses, constraints and opportunities and (iv) potential action steps for improvement; • Group 2: consisting of merchants / distributors examined: (i) how to conserve food quality until it reaches the cattle producers, (ii) proximity of food availability, (iii) organization and structure of actors involved in cattle feed distribution (iv) information on prices and pricing, and (v) assessment of orders; • Group 3: made up of representatives of producer organizations, cooperatives and mini-dairy developers worked on: (i) ways to improve the quality of food from production to distribution, (ii) livestock feed standards and quality; and (iii) identify different constraints and priority areas for improvement. • Group 4: Representatives of the Ministry of Animal Resources, Specialized Services, Projects, Programs and Financial Institutions addressed issues relating to: (i) factors limiting access to funding for small-scale producers and distributors, (ii) how to support organizing and structuring actors involved in the cattle feed supply and distribution, and (iii) identify priority areas.

This multi-stakeholder forum brought together 43 participants, including 9 women, from different sectors and institutions. These include: agro-pastoralists, representatives of livestock producer organizations Sahel Union Regional Committee (CRUS21), Network of Breeders’ Organizations of Africa « Billital Maroobè » (RBM)22, representatives of mini-dairies (Burkina Faso, KNB Sahel, Djibo, Milk Processing Unit (UTL)23, livestock feed suppliers and Agro-industrial by-products SPAI24 represented by CITEC25, SOFAB26 and Sugar company of Comoé (SOSUCO)27, national wholesalers' food traders and local retailers, financing structures

19 Direction provincial des ressources animales et halieutiques 20 Centre pour la promotion de la volaille villageoise 21 Comité régional de l'Union du Sahel 22 Réseau des organisations d'éleveurs d'Afrique 23 Unite de Transformation de Lait 24 Agro-industrial by-products (transformed goods) 25 Agro-industrial by-products 26 Livestock Production Society 27 Société Sucrière de la Comoé 44

(Ecobank, Coris Bank, Caisses Populaires), support projects such as: PAMEFA, REGIS-AG, REGIS-ER, ViM, Project of Valorization of the Agro-Pastoral Potential of the East (VALPAPE)28, and two public structures of the State Center for the Promotion of Village Poultry (CPAVI)29 and Regional Directorate for Animal and Fish Resources (DRRAH)30. The results from the work groups are given in appendix 1 . At the end of the forum participants made the following recommendations and pledged to advocate for an improvement in the current status of livestock feed:

Recommendations are as follows:

At the state level

• Develop regulations on livestock / poultry feed including on integrating production, distribution, marketing, import conditions, etc.; • Organize an exploratory workshop to develop a strategy for livestock feed distribution mechanisms, and improved access to feed.. Accessign feed

Support Structures and Projects

• Strengthen how actors are organized at each segment level in the distribution process; • Develop a database of actors: suppliers, food manufacturers, importers, distributors, producers’ organizations / cooperatives acting on distribution; • Establish a consultation framework for manufacturers, distributors and users of livestock feed; • Initiate advocacy on factors that increase the cost of livestock feed, including transport and the effective application of the VAT levy; • Organize information and consultation campaigns on existing financial products; • Organize activities to promote livestock feed

b) Sub activity 3.4.2. Organize fairs of livestock agro inputs and agricultural inputs in the project areas Small Ruminants and Agricultural inputs fair in Dori, Sahel region, Burkina Faso June 2017

Following the multi-stakeholder forum held in Kaya on 4 and 5 May 2017, stakeholders agreed to organize a small ruminant fair to establish trade relations between producers and feed manufacturers, in line with the small ruminants promotion activities planned. REGIS-AG and PAMEFA pooled their efforts and resources to organize a small ruminant and agricultural inputs fair in Dori in the Sahel region. In order to implement the activity, REGIS-AG collaborated with partners and established formal contacts at various projects and public administration. These include: REGIS-ER, Sahel Union Regional Committee (CRUS)CRUS, and Economic Growth in the Agriculture Sector (PCESA31), World Food Program’s Purchase for Progress (P4P-WFP),

28 Projet de Valorisation du Potentiel Agro-Pastoral de l’Est 29 Centre pour la Promotion de l’Aviculture Villageoise 30 Direction Régionale de Ressources Animales et Halieutiques 31 Le Programme de Croissance Economique dans le Secteur Agricole (PCESA)

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DRRAH, which implement other projects outside REGIS-AG. These entities are committed to working with REGIS-AG on the organization of the agricultural inputs and small ruminants fair.

In addition, REGIS-AG strengthened its contacts with the Regional Chamber of Agriculture (CRA), and undertook all necessary administrative procedures related to the requests of the exhibition site. organizing committee consisting of 8 commissions was created to coordinate all the activities necessary to organize the fair. (I) Official ceremony, coordination of fair and financing, (ii) Mobilization of livestock feed supply (traders at national level and other national actors), (iii) Mobilization of local actors, (iv) Logistics and security, (v) Thematic facilitation - Monitoring, evaluation and reporting, (vi) Communication Secretary General of the Sahel region and marketing, (vii) Accommodation and catering, and (viii) jury. In order cuts the ribbon at the opening to carry out their activities, the various committees held seven (7) ceremony meetings between May 22 and June 12, 2017, the last of which made it possible to assess the fair.

Small ruminant and agricultural inputs fair in Dori

The small ruminant food and agricultural inputs fair under the high patronage of the Governor of the Sahel region took place from June 9-11, 2017 in Dori, Sahel region. The official ceremony of the fair started on Friday, June 9th with a welcome message from the President of the CRA, followed by the speech of the Representative of REGIS-AG. In his address, he highlighted the importance of whole food for livestock and the opportunities for trade between suppliers, small ruminants traders and herders. The Secretary General of the Region representing the Governor in his opening speech thanked REGIS-AG and the other partners for the initiative. He also stressed the establishment of strong links between producers and distributors of food and agricultural inputs to provide quality inputs, and the importance of lasting business relations between different actors in the Sahel region. After the speeches, a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the fair. After the ribbon was cut, the official delegation took a tour of the stands to view and learn about the different products on display. During the three (3) days, exhibitors presented quality products that attracted many visitors. The exhibitors also benefited from capacity building mini- forums on: (i) fattening technical practices to improve producers’ revenue, and (ii) optimization of dairy production in the context of climate change. These two modules were led by two specialists from the National Institute for the Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) and the Regional Directorate of Animal and Fish Resources of the Sahel. The organization of the fair has made it possible to achieve the results below.

The fair mobilized 64 farmer enterprises and organizations. The products of the latter were presented by 105 exhibitors including 33 women. The exhibitors consisted of small ruminants traders from Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, distributors of agricultural inputs, groups of feeders and processors of hides and skins, and 5 mini-dairies. The tables below show the different products displayed and the number of visitors received.

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Table 8: Type and quantity of agricultural inputs displayed at the fair Table 9: Type of material and equipment presented and sold at the fair

Number of Quantity of Type of Agricultural Inputs Occupied products Number of Quantity of Type of Agricultural Stands presented (kg) Occupied products Inputs Fertilizer NPK 14 23 14 2 100 Stands presented (kg) Fertilizer NPK 14 23 14 + 6S 1 50 + 1B Agriculture 2 6 Fertilizer Urea 3 100 46% N Animal Husbandry 1 14 Eggplant Seeds 1 0.05 Total 3 20 Cabbage Seeds 2 0.29 Zucchini Seeds 1 0.2

Okra Seeds 2 5.2

Lettuce Seeds 2 0.32

Cowpea Seeds 3 32

Onion Seeds 4 6.7 Watermelon Seeds 3 7 Small Millet Seeds 1 4 Bell Pepper Seeds 1 0.05 Sorghum Seeds 1 2 Tomato Seeds 5 11.26 Total 32

This table shows that mainly five (5) types of livestock feed were promoted at the fair and a total of 1627 visitors, including 367 women attended. The most visited stands were sellers with bulk cotton seed cake, seeing 541 visitors, including 134 women. After the visits to the stands, 82 business contacts were established between the cattle feed sellers and producer groups. Table 10 : Livestock feed presented at the fair

Type of livestock feed Number of Occupied Stands Quantity of products presented (kg) SPA Fodder (cowpea fodder) 1 1 SPAI Pelleted feed / whole feed (cotton, corn, etc.) 4 2,470 SPAI Bulk cotton seed cake, etc. 19 2,685 SPAI Salt blocks (multi-nutritional blocks) 2 360 SPAI Cereal bran 1 2,5 Total 27 5,518.5

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Table No. 8 above shows that two types of agricultural inputs, namely seeds and fertilizers, were presented. Concerning the fertilizer, three formulations were presented: NPK 14-23-14, NPK 14-23-14 + 6S + 1B, and Urea 46% N. Concerning seeds, twelve 12 varieties were presented by these input distributors. Seeds attracted more visitors totaling 304, 112 of which were women, compared to 75 visitors, including 39 women, who visited fertilizer vendors. The exhibitors established 15 partnership agreements with 15 potential buyers of agricultural inputs. Award ceremony at the fair Table No. 9 above shows two (2) types of equipment were presented by three (3) exhibitors, of which two (2) presented 6 units of agricultural equipment, mainly plows, processing, and protection equipment. They were visited by 75 visitors, including 39 women. The exhibitor with animal husbandry was visited by 67 exhibitors, including 30 women. At the end of the visits, 15 business partnerships were forged between buyers and exhibitors.

The evaluation team recorded the sales made by the exhibitors during the fair. The following table gives an overview of the achievements for each type of product presented.

Table 11: Sales by product

Cumulative Sales Amounts Product/Input Types (FCFA)

Livestock feed 821,100 Agricultural inputs 56,000 Agricultural machinery 49,000 Citec Products 826,000 Seeds 748,600 Dairy products 223,750 Others products 616,000 Total 3,340,450

During the 3 day fair, total sales for project beneficiaries was 3,340,450 FCFA or approximately $5,933 USD. One of the highlights of the fair was the excellence awards for best fattening and milk producer in the mini- dairy farms, financed and operated by REGIS-AG partners. In addition to these, incentive prizes for most improved product quality. To award the prizes, a jury of 5 specialists in the above-mentioned fields was set up and determined the judging criteria. In the case of fattening award, the criteria defined are: (i) body condition of the animal, (ii) age of the animal, (iii) physical condition and health of the animal, and (iv) technical and economic monitoring of the fattening operation. In terms of milk production, the criteria defined are: (i) hygiene, (ii) nature of the material used, (iii) milk preservation techniques, (iv) parasitological testing, (v) group dynamics, and (vi) the treatment made of the milk.

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As mentioned above, during the fair trainings were held to build producer’s capacity. A total of 87 breeders including 62 women participated in training for fattening activities and 70 breeders including 52 women attended training to master fattening technical practices to improve their revenue and in optimizing dairy production in a context of climate change.

2.3.2. Animal Inputs and Services In Burkina Faso during FY16, REGIS-AG established three (3) Animal Health Proximity Networks (RSAP) s around three private companies (VETOPROX Sahel, SIRBA VETOS and VETAGRI) in the Sahel, East and Center-North regions respectively. However, this number is insufficient to ensure adequate access to local animal health services throughout the project areas. During the second quarter, the project identified two (2) private veterinary establishments (VETO Consult and VETO Assistance) that are already located in Fada N'Gourma (Eastern Region) and fully adhere to the RSAP strategy. During this quarter, as part of the implementation of these two (2) networks, the REGIS-AG team selected and trained new animal husbandry auxiliary producers (AE) in Burkina Faso. In Niger REGIS-AG focused on actions related to inserting AEs into existing networks, signing a collaboration protocol with the National Order of Veterinarians (NVO) and participating in the national vaccination campaign through the Veterinary Private Proximity Service (SVPP). Activity 3.7: Establish SVPP networks in the project intervention area

a) Sub activity 3.7.4 Select new AE and women-vaccinators for new SVPP networks

Select 44 livestock auxiliaries (AE) for the establishment of two networks in Burkina Faso In April 2017, a REGIS-AG team identified and selected producers (AEs) as part of the implementation of the two (2) RSAP networks in the Eastern Region. While in the communes of Gourma, Diabo, Tibga, Diapangou, Matiacoali and Yamba in the Gourma province, they informed the municipality’s administrative and customary authorities about the process of setting up the RSAP network. Meetings with the beneficiaries took place in the form of General Assemblies (GAs) in collaboration with two (2) veterinarians who agreed to implement the RSAP in the province. A total of six (6) GAs were held where the team explained the requirements for selecting AEs and the conditions for setting up the RSAP. At the end of these GAs, the beneficiaries chose 44 livestock auxiliaries (AEs) who will intervene in the villages on issues related to animal health under the supervision of the two private veterinarians. In Niger, the project plans aims to implement an SVPP network in Aguié department, Niger.

b) Sub activity 3.7.5 Train AE and selected women-vaccinators on animal health Training 44 new AEs as part of the RSAP in the Eastern Region This quarter was devoted to training 44 newly identified AEs, including 7 women, in order to implement the two (2) RSAPs in Eastern Region. The 44 AEs were split into two (2) groups of 22 and each group was trained in two (2) sessions in Fada on the following subjects: (i) roles, functions, and limits of AEs, (ii) veterinary drug concepts, (iii) basic animal health concepts, and (iv) parasites and parasitic cycles. In order to best implement the RSAP, AEs must benefit from all ten (10) modules and therefore will be trained on the 6 remaining modules next quarter, before starting their activities on animal health issues.

Activity 3.8: Strengthen the technical capacity of existing networks SVPP 49

a) Sub activity 3.8.2: Refresher training for AE in the project intervention areas Refresher training for 101 livestock auxiliaries (AE) from Filingué and Guidan Roumdji SVPPs in Niger To build the capacity of AEs in existing SVPP networks and improve the quality of the animal health services they provide, AEs from Filingué and Guidan Roumdji were retrained on fundamental animal service principles (table below). The training in Guidan Roumdji, Maradi region took place from 30 March to 03 April and from 13 to 17 April 2017 in Filingué, Tillaberi region.

Table 12: Material for Retraining AEs

Modules Subjects • Signs, causes, treatment and prevention of major diseases of domestic animals; • Diseases of the skin; Module 1 : The main • Diseases of the foot; diseases of domestic • Diseases of the eyes; animals, their diagnosis, prevention and treatment • Respiratory diseases ; • Digestive diseases; • Disease of reproduction ; • Definition of vaccination; • Principles of immunization; Module 2 : Practice of • Annual vaccination campaign (definition, human resources, equipment, preparation, vaccination under the progress ...); supervision of a • Different types of vaccines: thermolabile and thermostable vaccines; veterinarian • Annual immunization schedule; • Problems that may occur after vaccination; • Benefits of vaccination and the dangers of refusing immunization • The importance of poultry farming; • Poor poultry rearing practices and consequences; • Basic knowledge of poultry farming (EI counseling, good livestock practices, housing, housing hygiene, vaccination, feeding); Module 3 : Poultry • Results of good livestock practice; farming conduct • Livestock operations; • How is the disease evolving; • Annual immunization schedule; • Major diseases of poultry. • Presentation of the characteristics of the dry season. • Presentation of the consequences of poor dry season feeding practices on animals. • Good dry season feeding techniques. Module 4 : Strategic • The main energy and protein foods. complementation • Presentation and use of urea blocks. • Practice of strategic complementation. • Presentation of the results of the strategic complementation. • Conduct a breeders awareness session on strategic complementation.

b) Sub activity 3.8.3: Provide kits to AE and women-vaccinators The needed equipment for AEs is different from one SVPP / RSAP to another. Former AEs of the RSAP that existed before the arrival of the project have minimum equipment for their operations, while AEs in Burkina Faso wait for their equipment before they can start their activities. In collaboration with partners, projects REGIS-ER and ViM agreed to provide equipment for the AEs in Burkina Faso which began in January 2017 and equipment is expected to be delivered during the last quarter of 2017.

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Activity 3.10: Develop a charter on animal health

a) Sub activity 3.10.1: Develop and sign a partnership and support agreement for the ONV-BF During this period, in April 2017, REGIS-AG signed a protocol for collaboration with the National Order of Veterinarians of Niger (ONVN). This protocol defines the commitments of the various partners (ONVN and REGIS-AG) including the financing of certain activities within the framework of strengthening the ONVN.

b) Sub activity 3.10.2: Contribute to update the code of ethics and governance of animal health and ONVN ONV-BF Following the signing of the protocol between REGIS-AG and the National Order of Veterinarians of Niger (ONVN), TDRs were developed to provide support to this organization. This support includes (i) development of regulatory texts for the ONVN, (ii) development of its strategic plan and (iii) development of its procedure manual. These activities are planned to be executed next quarter because Veterinary Day took place during this quarter.

Activity. 3.13: Fight against major epidemic diseases of livestock

a) Sub activity. 3.13.1 Participate to national vaccination campaign

Vaccination of 295,936 small ruminants in Niger This quarter REGIS-AG monitored and helped finance the vaccination campaign against pests of small ruminants in the areas covered by the Tillabéri, Mirriah and Magaria SVPP to support the State's efforts in the fight against major livestock epidemics. By participating, the REGIS-AG project aims to raise the immunity rate of producers' livestock. These SVPPs collected information on the number of small ruminants vaccinated and the number of households benefiting from the vaccination actions conducted by the SVPP. A total of 295,936 small ruminants belonging to 15,307 breeders including 6,173 women were vaccinated in the departments of Magaria, Mirriah and Tillaberi. Based on an average of 7 people per household, it can be estimated that 2,187 households were affected by the 2016-2017 national vaccination campaign against major livestock epidemics in in the departments of Tillabéri, Magaria And Mirriah.

Immunization of 71,000 head of poultry vaccinated against Newcastle During this quarter, REGIS-AG participated in the meeting regarding the Newcastle disease vaccination campaign, conducted by the Bogandé RSAP (Gnagna Province) in Burkina Faso. The manager of the Bogandé RSAP (set up by the project) presented results of more than 71,000 head of poultry vaccinated against Newcastle during the 2016 - 2017 vaccination campaign.

2.4. Component 4: Increase access to finance, innovation and private sector investment Under Component 4, REGIS-AG focuses on facilitating access to finance for beneficiaries targeted under the project’s Components 2 and 3 in a way that enables product, process and/or function upgrading described 51

in project description section of this report. To increase investment for these necessary upgrades by targeted beneficiaries, it is critical to address factors limiting access to finance that stem from both the “supply” and “demand” sides. For this, in addition to linking farmers’ groups and SMSEs with MFIs and commercial banks when appropriate, the project has two important tools: (a) its Strategic Services Subawards (3S) Fund of $500,000 as its primary tool to jumpstart product and process upgrading for vulnerable SHFs in the project intervention areas that are poorly capitalized, and (b) the DCA program.

During this quarter, REGIS-AG’s main emphasis was on activities related to opening the new literacy centers. Before the opening ceremony, the former literacy centers opened in FY16 were evaluated, followed by capacity building of the center's facilitators. During the same period, the BDS capacities were strengthened in accordance with the action plans elaborated based on the diagnosis conducted in FY 15.

2.4.1. Functional Literacy Capacity Building Activities

Activity 4.1: Provide training in functional literacy to project participants particularly women Improving families’ and vulnerable communities’ access to market, financing, innovation and private sector investment in the project areas of intervention constitutes a major priority for REGIS-AG. However, the literacy rate for most of these stakeholders is very low in the project intervention area. Most producers cannot read or write and this limits their ability to negotiate with microfinance institutions or banks. This low literacy also limits the adoption of new technologies and the development and use of marketing strategies for their products. It is therefore imperative to build the capacities of these actors, in order to make their participation in these value chains more productive, and to enhance their personal development and empowerment.

During FY16, REGIS-AG opened 43 functional literacy centers (18 in Burkina Faso and 25 in Niger). A total of 1,397 beneficiaries (571 in Burkina Faso and 826 in Niger) were trained, including 1,219 women (468 in Burkina Faso and 751 in Niger). Due to the success of FY16 functional literacy activities, REGIS-AG planned to open 50 new literacy centers (25 in Burkina Faso and 25 in Niger) for total of 1,500 learners in the project interventions zone.

a) Sub activity 4.1.1: Identify appropriate center for literacy training (25 in Niger and 25 in Burkina Faso) and Sub activity 4.1.2 Identify beneficiaries (450/Niger; 750/Burkina Faso), and evaluate training needs

Mobilization in 5 new functional literacy centers that resulted in the identification of 174 learners (including 119 women) in Zinder, Niger During the quarter, awareness-raising activities took place between April 13-16, 2017 and were aimed mainly at mobilizing and sensitizing all the actors involved in the implementation of the literacy program. This awareness-raising event took place in the villages of Gada, Magaria Tounkour, Zongon Tambari and Chada Wannan in the Zinder region. A total of 174 new learners, 119 women, benefited from the literacy program’s

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activities and 4 instructors including one woman were identified. The following table shows the distribution of learners per literacy center.

Table 13: Distribution of learners for by literacy center in Zinder

Center Numbers OP Department Municipality Village Partner Type M W Total Type Mirriah Droum Zongon Female 0 32 32 Small SAWKI Tambari Ruminant/Cowpea Magaria Female 0 33 33 Small Tounkour Ruminant/Cowpea Zermon Chada Mix 5 25 30 Poultry Wannan Dogo Gada Male 29 0 29 Small Ruminant Magaria bandé Gaounawa Mix 19 31 50 Small REGIS-ER Ruminant/Cowpea Total 55 119 174

b) Sub activity 4.1.3: Training of managers and literacy facilitators (basic training and retraining)

Training of 25 instructors from the 25 new literacy centers in Niger Following the identification of the new literacy centers and learners, REGIS-AG initiated exchanges with the technical public services responsible for functional literacy (i.e. the Regional Directorates for Primary Education, Literacy, Promotion of National Languages and Civic Education (DREP / A / PLN / EC)) in the project area to agree on the working conditions and timetable for training and the new and former instructors. Following an agreement with the various DREP / A / PLN / EC in Tillabéri, Maradi and Zinder, REGIS-AG established a timetable for the training and retraining of new and former instructors. The following tables show the schedule of training and retraining of new and former facilitators of literacy centers. The basic training of the 25 new facilitators (20 men, 5 women) of the centers took place in two stages:

• Step 1: Introduction to language transcription This stage lasted seven (7) days and focused on introducing and building the capacity of the new facilitators to transcribe of Hausa and Zarma;

• Step 2 : Introduction to teaching techniques This stage lasted eight (8) days and focus on introducing and building the capacity of the new facilitators with teaching techniques / learning various disciplines, training, and management of the literacy centers.

Retraining 25 instructors from 25 former learning centers in Niger The retraining of former instructors (11 men, 14 women) took place over a period of 10 days, the first stage was the transcription of teaching languages Haoussa and Zarma and the second stage focused on the teaching / learning techniques of various subjects related to the value chains addressed by REGIS-AG.

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c) Sub activity 4.1.4: Training of learners in literacy centers Carrying out training in 25 new literacy centers and distributing learning kits in Niger After training the instructors, REGIS-AG opened 25 new functional literacy centers in Niger (15 in Maradi, 5 in Tillaberi and 5 in Zinder) with at total of 828 learners [496 in Maradi (464 women), 158 in Tillaberi (124 women) and 174 learners in Zinder (119 women)]. Before training the learners, REGIS-AG distributed equipment to the different centers, including tables benches, chairs, tables, and center register. In each location, each instructor trained or retrained was also provided with a trainer kit from the government service in charge of overseeing literacy. These learners received REGIS-AG’s kits (learner's booklet, booklet of reading, writing and calculation booklet, notebooks, etc.) at the start of the courses. REGIS-AG teams and technical services in charge of literacy jointly supervised the opening and starting of classes in the 50 centers.

Remarkably, despite the early onset of rainy season, the beneficiaries continued to attend classes. In total the project trained 2,881 learners (2.454 women) in Burkina Faso [(516 in already existing centers (418 women) and 761 in the 25 new ones (629 women)] and in Niger [(776 in already existing centers (700 women) and 828 in the 25 new ones (707 women)].

d) Sub activity 4.1.5: Monitoring and Evaluation of literacy centers

Final evaluation of the 20 literacy centers opened in FY16 in Maradi and Zinder in Niger

After the evaluation of the five literacy centers in Tillaberi during the last quarter, this quarter was devoted to the evaluation of the 20 literacy centers in Maradi and Zinder. The evaluation of the centers took place between April 16-24, 2017. The overall objective was to evaluate knowledge acquired by learners during the first year of the literacy campaign at the 20 former centers. More specifically, the evaluation addressed:

• Master of subject matter • Level of performance and learners' knowledge • The physical and organizational conditions of the centers • Learner satisfaction, expectations, and needs • Motivation and organization of CGAAs

At each center the evaluation was carried out by a team composed of the literacy inspector in charge of the center and a representative of the Regional Directorate for Primary Education in Literacy, The Promotion of National Languages and Civic Education (DREP / A / PLN / EC), and the Literacy Coordinator of the region. The team collected and analyzed the qualitative and quantitative with tools (surveys, tests, etc.) that were developed and administered in focus groups or individually according to the type of the information needed. The evaluation process took place in 3 stages:

Step 1: Framing Meeting and finalization of tools A meeting was held in each region before the team's visit to the field.

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Step 2: Collection of qualitative and quantitative data Initially, the evaluation focused on the qualitative aspects of the management and organization of the centers. These data were collected through (a) focus group interviews with learners, facilitators, CGAA members, communities, and (b) individual interviews on a questionnaire basis. Secondly, the team evaluated each learner to know his or her level of learning by administering the literacy and numeracy tests.

Step 3: Data analysis and reporting On the basis of the qualitative and quantitative data collected, the team processed and analyzed the information to produce a report highlighting the following points: • the results of the learners' assessment and their levels • conclusions on the expertise of subject matter, • conclusions on the management and organization of the centers, • the constraints and difficulties encountered during the campaign • recommendations for improving the implementation of the functional literacy program for future campaigns.

The results of the evaluation of the 20 centers highlight the following points: I) Organization and supervision at the center level In each center, the trainees' training began (apprenticeship course) at the end of April 2016. The centers worked for six (06) months without interruption. Learner guidance was provided by literacy trainers trained in the PERSA methodology. The evaluators claimed that the organization of the centers was fair due to the fact that most of the centers are in their first experience.

Ii) Attendance of learners in centers Overall, attendance at the centers was very satisfactory. The tables below show that of the 678 learners who started at the start of the campaign, 642 took the courses until the end (i.e. retention rate of 94.69%). It should also be noted that the regularity decreases during the rainy season because the daily tasks of the learners increase during this period.

Iii) Importance of literacy for learners During the assessment, learners justified the advantage of literacy courses as follows: • Literate people can read documents in their local language; • The skills acquired in writing and computing help them to better write messages, thus facilitating communication with mobile phones; • Many of the learners will be able to make purchases without being helped (for example to know the sizes of their shoes etc.) • They are now able to orient themselves by reading the signs on the roads indicating the villages.

The evaluators of the literacy centers also made the following observations:

(Iv) Difficulties encountered

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The main difficulty encountered during the training was the delay in opening the center in April. This led the courses to continue during the rainy season which is difficult. Additionally, because women can’t stop the class to take care of their families, learners and their families do not eat during the course of each class. These issues often prevent some learners from attending classes on a regular basis.

V) Pedagogical results 642 learners were evaluated from a total of 678 registered in the 20 centers of Maradi and Zinder. It should be noted that this evaluation took place 5 months after the end of the courses, which affect the results. The pedagogical results obtained in Maradi and Zinder are recorded in the tables below:

Table 14 : Literacy center evaluation results in Maradi

Learners Reading level Math Level Registere N° Centers evaluate d learners d Beginners Level 1-2 Level 3-4 Level 5-6 Beginners Level 1-2 Level 3-4 Level 5-6

M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F

1 Algafia 0 30 0 30 0 16 0 10 0 4 0 0 0 14 0 12 0 4 0 0

2 N’Wala 0 35 0 29 0 13 0 6 0 9 0 1 0 11 0 7 0 10 0 1

3 Karoubouni 0 30 0 30 0 0 0 5 0 13 0 12 0 0 0 10 0 8 0 12

4 Naki Karfi 2 41 2 43 0 0 0 10 0 26 2 5 0 0 0 8 2 18 0 5

5 Bulunkusha 0 32 0 32 0 0 0 9 0 20 0 3 0 0 0 15 0 14 0 3

6 Gangara 0 33 0 27 0 1 0 12 0 8 0 6 0 1 0 9 0 11 0 6

Maloumey 7 0 30 0 27 0 7 0 11 0 4 0 5 0 7 0 8 0 7 0 5 Salifou

8 Fiadi 0 32 0 38 0 0 0 16 0 21 0 1 0 0 0 23 0 14 0 1

9 Zongon Incha 0 38 0 36 0 0 0 26 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 6 0 0

Guidan 10 0 32 0 25 0 11 0 5 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 13 0 10 0 2 Atchali

11 Takalafia 0 41 0 29 0 0 0 16 0 10 0 3 0 0 0 14 0 8 0 3

12 Koumboula 0 39 0 32 0 0 0 9 0 18 0 5 0 0 0 15 0 12 0 5

13 Koumchi 0 30 0 38 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 22 0 0 0 8 0 12 0 18

Bakassomou 14 0 33 0 30 0 10 0 3 0 10 0 7 0 7 0 2 0 12 0 9 ba

Guidan 15 0 40 0 38 0 0 0 14 0 9 0 15 0 0 0 10 0 11 0 17 Bagouari

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Sub-total 2 516 2 484 0 58 0 165 0 175 2 87 0 40 0 198 2 159 0 87

Total 518 486 58 165 175 89 40 198 161 87

The analysis in this table shows that 486 learners were evaluated out of a total of 518 enrolled in literacy centers in Maradi. At the end of this evaluation, 58 learners, or 11.94%, are still beginners. 165 learners or 33.95% have levels between 1 and 2 which means that they are able to read and write letters, numbers and small words. 175 learners or 36%, have a level between 3 and 4 which means that they are able to read, understand mid-level texts and deal with small calculation operations. Finally, 89 learners, or 18.31%, have a level between 5 and 6 which means that they are able to read, write and understand mid-level texts and interpret them. At the end of the assessment, all learners who tested at level 3 or more are considered literate. Therefore, 264 learners in the Maradi region, or 54.32%, are considered literate at the end of the literacy program run by REGIS-AG during the FY16 in Maradi.

Table 15: Results of evaluations of literacy centers in the region of Zinder

Register Evaluat Reading Level Maths Level ed ed Learner Learner Débutant Niveau½ Niveau ¾ Niveau 5/6 Débutant Niveau½ Niveau ¾ Niveau 5/6 N° Centers s s s s

H F H F H F H F H F H F H F H F H F H F

1 Angoal 13 17 15 15 1 3 1 4 4 3 9 5 3 3 2 7 6 3 4 2 Talba

2 Angoual 15 15 15 15 0 0 4 13 5 2 6 0 2 3 4 8 5 3 4 1 Gao

3 BanimaI 15 15 15 15 0 0 10 12 4 3 1 0 3 3 8 11 3 1 1 0

4 Kaba Dan 19 21 19 21 2 11 1 4 10 5 6 1 2 11 1 4 10 5 6 1 Koraou

5 Daourawa 11 19 11 15 3 14 7 1 1 0 0 0 2 10 8 4 1 1 0 0

Sub-total 73 87 75 81 6 28 23 34 24 13 22 6 12 30 23 34 25 12 15 4

Total 160 156 34 57 37 28 42 57 37 19

The analysis of the evaluation of the 5 Zinder centers shows that of the 160 learners enrolled in the literacy course, 156 were assessed. At the end of this evaluation, 34 learners, or 21.79%, are still beginners. 57 learners or 36.54% have levels between 1 and 2 (ie they are able to read and write letters, numbers and small words either). 37 learners or 23.71%, have a level between 3 and 4, which means that they are able to read, to understand average texts and to treat small calculation operations. Finally, 28 learners, or 17.94%, have a level between 5 and 6, which means that they are able to read, write and understand mid-level texts and interpret them.

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At the end of the assessment, all learners who tested at level 3 or more are considered literate. Therefore 65 learners from the Maradi region, or 41.67%, are considered literate at the end of the literacy program run by REGIS-AG during the FY16 in Zinder. This unsatisfactory rate recorded at the end of this evaluation in the Zinder region is due to the lack of organization of the educational days, the delay in paying premiums and the delay in the final evaluation of the centers. To reach the maximum number of learners, the facilitators evaluated some in their home especially those who stopped coming to the centers of literacy.

Results from centers opened in FY17 in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, 43 literacy centers (18 old and 25 new) were opened during the second quarter FY17. During the reporting period, activities focused on monitoring these centers. These follow-ups, which were jointly carried out with the government services in charge of literacy, made it possible to obtain the opinion of the academic and local authorities, to visit all the centers in the regions and to exchange opinions with the beneficiaries. Similarly, REGIS-AG held meetings with the center's management committees and teachers on the value of the program and their roles and responsibilities in achieving the objectives, the progress in the 43 centers and to verify the acquisition of knowledge of all learners. But they also helped to monitor and provide support to facilitators and to overcome the challenges encountered in the field. The different actors express a real enthusiasm for the literacy program, which they believe contributes to the establishment of a culture of sustainable learning. This was demonstrated by:

• the commitment of the facilitators to deliver the lessons; • learning throughout the entire program; • the determination of learners and management committees to participate actively in the implementation of the program; • the decision of the academic authorities and literacy technicians to ensure that the courses start on time and to monitor closely the activities of the program; • the planning of visits and the interventions of the actors.

Final evaluation of the 43 literacy centers opened in Burkina Faso Courses in the 43 centers started in February 2017 and closed in mid-June with the evaluation of the various old and new learners by the service in charge of literacy in Burkina Faso. Results of the evaluations are expected for the fourth quarter.

2.4.2. Access to Finance Facilitation Activities

Activity 4.2: Reinforce capacity of local service providers to offer Business Development Services (BDS)

a) 4.2.1 Execute capacity-building programs for BDS providers

Training of twelve (12) BDS Providers on business plan development techniques in Niger

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Between March 12-20, 2017 in Tillabéri, REGIS-AG worked on the capacity building of 12 agents from 6 BDS firms on: (i) tools and value chain/supply chain approach, (ii) approaches and principles of creation, and (iii) the organization and management of agricultural business and economic competitiveness clusters. During this reporting period, REGIS-AG worked with the agents to develop skills on elaborating a business plans. This training took place in Zinder between April 13-19, 2017. During this training session, the main themes developed were:

• Action plan approach; • Presentation of the business plan; • Development of a business plan; • Including EGSSAA, PERSUAP, 22 CFR 216 and PDACU222 recommendations g in the business plans and collection tools; • Including USAID gender policy in business plans and collection tools; • Understand my idea, my business and my Business Plan (Rural Entrepreneurial Initiative and Intelligent Initiative); • Business plan templates and business plan collection tools; • Financial calculation model; • Process to facilitate access to credit for actors in the value chain; • Understanding TDR Rapid Market and Business Diagnosis (Fieldwork); • Training of promoters and data collection for the promoters on Agricultural Entrepreneurship Approach and Development of a Business Plan. To finalize this theoretical training, the 12 participants were divided into two groups to work on two practical cases for developing business plans for poultry and small ruminants.

Training of 36 BDS on GERME approach in Burkina Faso

Manager Your Business Better (GERME32) is a training program developed by the International Labor Office which is a department of the International Labor Organization (ILO). It is a program that has been widely implemented in more than 80 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Simple and practical, the GERME training modules allow potential entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs to assimilate the basic principles of managing a business.

After the analysis of the offers for the training of trainers on the GERME, the consultancy firm «Africa Impacts» was considered as the provider offering the best technical and financial offer. After the signature of the contract with this consultancy firm, the training of GERME trainers took place in two sessions, the first was held in Kaya between April 19-29, 2017 with 17 BDS providers including 01 woman. The second was also held in Kaya with 19 participants, including 01 women.

The various methodological tools used during these courses are: (i) the guide for the GERME trainer, (ii) the GERME kits including 8 modules, (iii) the module I and (iv) the module 2. The four main steps of each training session were: • Introduction of the GERME program • Class on the organization and running of an entrepreneur training seminar;

32 Gérer Mieux son Entreprise

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• Practical sessions of presentation; • Implementation of the Training Needs Analysis (ABF) of micro-enterprises

The methodology package consists of three training modules that complement each other: • Module 1: Find your business idea (Trie), for the creation of a company’s candidates; • Module 2: Create your business (Cree), for business project promoters; • Module 3: Improve your business management (Germe), for active entrepreneurs.

The participatory learning approach used in training encouraged entrepreneurs to take action, in particular through the action plans formulated at the end of the seminar, lead entrepreneurs to apply the most appropriate management techniques to their actual needs. Group work was set up to strengthen the knowledge acquired by the beneficiaries, and to develop a total of 4 action plans that take into account all the modules developed during the training.

Activity 4.3: Select opportunities with high potential for upgrading

a) 4.3.2 Select high potential value chain actors for the investment opportunity

Development of action plans for potential buyers in Niger

Between May 13-14, 2017 in Tillaberi, the project team organized market linkages workshops (Activity 2.13.4) for various actors involved in the poultry value chain. The B2B approach made it possible to determine the needs and outputs of each actor and to know the quality of products required by the market. At the end of the workshops, poultry production groups decided to formalize a commercial relationship with potential buyers (cluster). In Tillaberi, 12 poultry production groups have decided to regularly supply a local chicken coop cooperative and a local frozen poultry marketing company. Once these clusters were set up, the project team after the market linkages workshops supported each actor involved in each cluster to develop an action plan. In the development of these plans, more in-depth diagnoses were carried out at the level of each group of actors. The results of these action plans produced during the fourth quarter.

Between May 17-18, 2017, workshops were held to establish market linkages between the actors involved in the poultry value chain in the Maradi and Zinder regions. As in Tillaberi, the approach was adopted. For example, 13 poultry groups in Maradi decided to develop a lasting commercial relationship with 3 potential buyers consisting of a poultry grid cooperative, a frozen local poultry marketing company and a poultry dealer association. On the other hand, in Zinder, 5 poultry groups have returned in partnership with a local chicken fryer. The results of all these accompanying plans will be available during the fourth quarter.

During the month of June, 3 cowpea B2B workshops were held in Maradi (June 10 -11, 2017) and Tillaberi and Zinder (June 15-16, 2017) respectively. In Tillaberi, 18 OPs are developing commercial relations with 4 potential buyers, including a processing unit, a seed economic interest grouping (EIG) and two agro-dealers. In Maradi, 28 OPs are in contact with 6 buyers consisting of 3 processing units, one input distributor network, a seed woman and a trader. Action plans are currently under development.

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Development of support plans for potential buyers in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, during the reporting period, only the stakeholder workshop for the poultry value chain took place in Dori in June. During this workshop, 10 groups of poultry producers developed 2 commercial relations with 2 grillers of the city of Dori. The action plans of the 12 actors are being developed. The market linkages workshops for small ruminant and cowpea value chains will take place in July.

Establishment of a credit of CFAF 2,000,000 for working capital for actors in the poultry value chain in Niger

On the eve of the Ramadan festival, REGIS-AG helped 3 potential buyers from the Tillaberi region to obtain a credit of 2,000,000 Franc CFA from the agricultural bank of Niger (BAGRI). This credit will serve as working capital, allowing potential buyers to increase their poultry offerings during Ramadan. The repayment period for this credit is 3 months and should be completed in August 2017

Establishment of a campaign loan of CFAF 1,600,000 for 3 POs in Niger

In order to facilitate the access of producers to agricultural inputs, REGIS-AG helped 3 OPs to obtain input credit (purchase fertilizers and seeds) from MECAT. The repayment period for this credit is six (6) months. OPs that have obtained this credit are:

• Tattalin Hwadama: 1,000,000 FCFA Set up on May 10, 2017 • Inganci (1 OP): 200,000 FCFA Set up on May 29, 2017 • Himma (Union 5 OP): 400,000 FCFA

Activity 4.4: Collaborate with DCA program to link potential value chain actors to MFIs and bank

a) Sub activity 4.4.2. Assist VC actor selected in developing business plans Follow-up of the repayment of credit set up in connection with warrantage in Niger

During FY17, 16 OPs (12 from Maradi and 4 from Tillaberi) stored 402,225 tons of cowpea have been stored and have received a total credit of 15,757,000 FCFA through the REGIS-AG supported warrantage activity. At the end of June 2017, 14 FOs had repaid their credit amounting to 13,649,351 FCFA or 86% of the total credit granted. Only two Tillaberi OPs are still liable to the financial institution for an amount of 2,205,000 FCFA. These reimbursements were made from cowpeas stocked at an average price of 321.16 FCFA. The financial profit attained after the sale of the cowpeas was 33,277,200 FCFA. However, the best prices were observed in the Maradi region with an average of 331.75 FCFA per kg against an average price of 300 FCFA per kg in the Tillaberi region.

Follow-up of the repayment of the credit set up in connection with the warrantage in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, as in Niger, cowpea producers were interested in warrantage after the awareness tours conducted by REGIS-AG in FY16. A total of 466 producers, including 387 women (Figure 1), benefited from 18,406,700 FCFA in credit for 93.4 ton of cowpeas stocked. To date, 9,631,200 FCFA have been repaid, (a

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repayment rate of 52.32%). Repayment schedules for loans Figure 1: Representation of warrantage credit by gender granted have not yet expired. OPs continue to repay their Hommes credits according to the repayment plan established. 17%

At the end of this first experience of supporting producers in the implementation of warrantage credit, producers are really enthusiastic about warrantage, despite the difficulties of collecting data on time and the late implementation of the credit.

Inadequacies marked the implementation of warrantage, namely:

• Lack of communication between projects operating in the same area; • The late implementation of credit; • The distance from the stores for certain producers; • The desire to take cowpeas into account as the only agricultural product to warrant; • The absence of PICS bag distributors in some localities

To ensure the success of this activity for future campaigns, the REGIS-AG project and its partners will have to work together, learn from this experience and improve planning. Given the results obtained for the first experience, this support to producers should continue by implementing as soon as possible activities related to the awareness of the actors.

b) Sub activity 4.4.3. Provide technical Assistance to Financial Institutions Trainings of the IMFs and Banks’ agents

During the second quarter of the FY17, REGIS-AG trained 41 agents of financial institutions on the analysis of the financial risks of loans to actors in small ruminant, poultry and cowpea value chains. In order to implement this training, REGIS-AG organized a workshop in Burkina Faso from May 23 to 26, 2017, with the participation of representatives of MECAP and the Réseau des Caisses Populaires of Burkina Faso (RCPB) and ECOBANK with the goal of developing action plans. Funding opportunities for the three value chains were discussed and joint action plans were developed. At the end of these three working days a joint action plan was finalized with each institution, namely MECAP, RCPB and ECOBANK and will beimplemented during the FY18 period.

Activity 4.6: Develop innovative insurance mechanisms a) Sub activity 4.6.1. Conduct a study on the insurance products and how they can be adapted to the small ruminant and poultry value chains The prospecting mission took place between June 18-24, 2017 in Dakar, Senegal with a main objective to meet the actors involved in the field of agricultural insurance, in order to:

• identify a company with the expertise to support REGIS-AG to carry out a feasibility study on agricultural insurance for the 3 value chains; • take note of the experience of Senegal in agricultural insurance; 62

• inquire about difficulties and constraints in setting up agricultural insurance; - to learn about the preliminary activities to be developed before the process of an agricultural insurance.

Planet Guarantee REGIS-AG held a meeting with Planet Guarantee with Sebastien WEBER, Africa Director and Amath Diama COBAR, Training Manager, Social Marketing West Africa in attendance. Our exchanges focus on the experience of Planet Guarantee on agricultural insurance and what approach to develop for the countries of intervention of REGIS-AG.

World Food Program (WFP) This meeting was attended by Mamadou WANE, Rural Development Program Officer / 4R DRR Focal Point and Ms. Yacine Fall, Program Manager, Agricultural Insurance. REGIS- AG and WFP exchanged experience in agricultural insurance on their 4R project (focusing on 4 risk management strategies, including micro-insurance for the very vulnerable). The 4R Rural Resilience Project, funded by USAID / Washington, is implemented in Senegal. Combining four risk management strategies (insurance, better management of natural resources, access to credit and saving), the project enables the poorest to acquire an insurance premium to pay for their work in the event of a disaster with the objective of getting them to emancipate themselves within the framework of a long-term resilience.

ILO The ILO is specialized in all aspects related to the financial education of stakeholders in the development of agricultural insurance (promoters, financial institutions, state technical services, farmers / targets, etc.). They have developed tools and training modules and awareness-raising which is prepared within the framework of its regional support to put at our disposal a team (assistance without cost) to accompany us in several areas such as the financial education of the actors and other support in the development of our agricultural insurance.

CNAAS (National Agricultural Insurance Company of Senegal) REGIS-AG met with Mr. Mouhamadou Fall, the Deputy Director of CNAAS, Mr. Omar Cissé SOW, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of insurance projects and programs and Mr. Insa SOW, Assistant Production Manager. At CNAAS, we discussed the history of the company's implementation, the products developed, the implementation process and advice for the success of an agricultural insurance program.

Agricultural insurance supports resilience to recurring shocks, allows agriculture to overcome climate change and strengthens development actions over the long term. It is seen as a strategic tool in the face of climate change. It plays the role of a tool for managing climate risk on multiple scales. The following points should be taken into consideration when determining the success of an agricultural insurance program:

1) Development of a private partnership for a sustainable mechanism (insurance company, state, other private partners such as groups of producers);

2) Strong involvement of the state in the process with a political will of the state and good institutions;

3) Conduct awareness campaigns, information and financial education through a dynamic network.

REGIS-AG believes that developing a successful agricultural insurance mechanism in Niger could be possible but more research needs to be done. It is suggested that the project carry out astudy in order to identify

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the most important risks related to agriculture and livestock and their impact on the resilience of small producers upon which the insurance program will be based..

In Burkina Faso, during the reporting period, only the stakeholder workshop in the poultry value chain took place in Dori in June. During this workshop, 10 groups of poultry producers developed 2 commercial relationships with 2 poultry grills of the city of Dori. The accompanying plans of the 12 actors are being developed. The relationship workshops for small ruminant and cowpea value chains will take place in July.

2.5. Component 5: Improve the Enabling Environment for Local and Regional Private Investment

REGIS-AG’s Component 5 focuses on improving the enabling environment for investing in inputs, equipment, storage, and processing in a way that enables upgrading in the targeted value chains in Burkina Faso and Niger. The project is expected to achieve this result through coordination and linkages with relevant projects (REGIS-ER, DFAP and Trade Hub) and by strengthening the advocacy capacity of associations and farmers’ organizations representing the private sector actors throughout the three project’s value chains. Activities carried out by REGIS-AG under this component have focused on raising awareness among stakeholders on laws governing private investments in land and agriculture, promoting an inclusive management livestock markets, facilitating women’s access to land and services, and coordinating with the USAID-funded Trade Hub to address regional constraints related to trade.

During Q3FY17, activities carried out focused on 1) sensitizing beneficiaries on the relevant laws identified by the study laws on laws governing private investment in land and agriculture, 2) evaluation of existing platforms and Inter-professions to be supported by the REGIS-AG project, 3) TOT on governance, 4) setting up the poultry networking activities on regional level, 5) restructuring the targeted livestock markets, 6) coordinating with the Trade Hub on regional trade issues and on collaboration with regional interprofessional associations (CONFENABVI-AO), and 7) participating in regional meetings organized by CORAF.

Activity 5.1: Capacity Building for Value Chain Actors on Policy and Advocacy

a) Sub-activity 5.1.1: Develop materials and sensitize beneficiaries on the relevant laws identified by the Laws on studies that govern private investment in land and Agriculture

Diffusion of 7 land-related legal texts to 53 OP in Niger

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The overall objective of this activity is to improve the implementation of laws governing private investments in land and agriculture. At a workshop in April the seven texts33 selected by studying laws governing private investment in land and agriculture were shared with 53 OPs, mainly composed of ReComs (including 16 women), in the Tillabéri region. Preparation for the dissemination of legal-texts in Burkina Faso In Burkina Faso, three (3) pieces of legislation were translated into Morey, Fulfuldé, and Gourmatchewa, and ToRs were developed to plan the dissemination of these texts. In the 4th quarter of fiscal year FY17, texts will be shared with 70 OPs and 30 local authorities, made up of prefects, mayors and high commissioners.

b) Sub-activity 5.1.2: Evaluation of existing platforms and Inter-professions Evaluation of the capacity of 18 advocacy platforms in Niger The overall objective of this activity is to identify at least three (3) active advocacy platforms in Niger and three (3) others in Burkina Faso focused on cowpea, small ruminant and poultry value chains to support advancement for the development of these value chains. Specifically, this involves: (i) Organize an evaluation to assess the functionality of the platforms, interprofessions and associations that exist in the poultry, small ruminant and cowpea value chains, (ii) determine the organizations’ vision, mission, and objectives, and (iii) Determine the how well the organizations’ advocacy profiles match the project’s objectives. Following the implementation of this activity in Niger, 18 platforms of interprofessional organizations and active associations in Niger were evaluated in Maradi, Tillabéry and Zinder regions.

33 Ordinance n ° 93-015 of 02 March 1993 enacting guidelines for the rural code, Decree No. 97-367 / PRN / MAG / EL of 02 October 1997 determining the modalities of inscription of rural land rights; Act No. 61-37 of 24 November 1961 regulating expropriation for public utility purposes and temporary occupation, as amended and supplemented by Law 2008-037 of 10 July 2008; Decree no. 2009-224 / MPR / MU / H of 12 August 2009 enacting detailed rules for the application of special provisions in Act No. 61-37 of 24 November 1961 regulating expropriation for public purposes and temporary occupation amended and supplemented by Act No. 2008-37 of 10 July 2008 on the involuntary displacement and resettlement of populations; Decree No. 97-006 / PRN / MAG / E of 10 January 1997 regulating the development of rural natural resources; Law No. 2014-09 of 16 April 2014 establishing the Code of Private Investment in the Republic of Niger; Decree 2014-502 / PRN / MM / DI of 31 July 2014 determining the terms and conditions of application of Law 2014-09 of 16 April 2014 on the Investment Code in the Republic of Niger.

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Table 16: Legal status of the orgnizations evaluated Already- Already- Existing Registration Existing Seniority Headquarters Address Internal Organization (Yes=1; Bylaws (1 year=1 (Yes=1; (Yes=1; No. Regulations No=0) (Yes=1; pt) No=0) No=0) (Yes=1; No=0) No=0)

CCD/OPEN 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 Tillabéry

Regional College for 2 Cowpea 1 1 1 5 1 1 Transformers

3 CRA Tillabéry 1 1 1 17 1 1

4 Pastoral Tribune 1 0 0 1 0 1

5 IP BVCP Niger 1 1 1 4 1 1

Regional Consultation 6 0 0 1 5 0 1 Framework for Cowpea in Zinder

Cooperative Inganci 7 (Leathers and Skins) 1 1 1 2 1 1 Zinder

Regional College for 8 Cowpea Traders in 1 1 1 5 1 1 Maradi

Regional 9 Framework BVCP 0 0 1 4 1 1 Maradi

Regional Livestock 10 Producers College 1 1 1 5 1 1 in Maradi

National 11 1 1 1 5 1 1 CCD/OPEN

UCRFTC BCVP de 12 1 1 1 5 0 1 Zinder

13 UJA Maradi 1 1 1 9 1 1

Regional College for 14 Cowpea Producers 1 1 1 5 0 1 in Maradi

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Already- Already- Existing Registration Existing Seniority Headquarters Address Internal Organization (Yes=1; Bylaws (1 year=1 (Yes=1; (Yes=1; No. Regulations No=0) (Yes=1; pt) No=0) No=0) (Yes=1; No=0) No=0)

15 CCD/OPN Maradi 1 1 1 1 1 1

Regional College for 16 Cowpea Producers 0 1 1 5 0 1 in Tillaberi

Regional College for 17 Livestock Leather 1 1 1 5 1 1 and Skins in Tillabéri

18 Cowpea IP 1 1 1 5

Average or Percentage 83% 83% 94% 5 72% 100%

This table shows that of the 18 organizations evaluated, 83% are recognized by the State and have their approval by the municipality housed by Constituent Assembly or by the Ministry of the Interior, the decentralization of customary and religious affairs. This shows that only the latter are likely to engage in discussions with the authorities. The table shows that 83% of the structures have statutes, 94% of internal regulations and 100% have the addresses of contacts. However, the table shows that only 72% of these platforms have headquarters.

Table 17: Staff education level of evaluated organizations

Vice- Info Coord/ No Organizations President SG/PS34 DSP/DS35 GT36 AT37 AO40 President Sec38 Tech 39

1 CCD/OPEN Tillabéry 9 0 6 0 0 0 0 8,5 0

Regional College for 2 6 0 6 4,5 0 4 0 0 0 Cowpea Transformers

3 CRA Tillabéry 9,5 3 9 5 0 9,5 0

4 Pastoral Tribune 9,5 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 IP BVCP Niger 7,5 3 5 5 6,5 7,5 9,5 0

34 Secretary General or Permanent Secretary 35 Deputy Secretary General or Deputy Permanent Secretary 36 General Treasurer 37 Assistant Treasurer 38 Secretary of Information 39 Coordinators and / or Technical Staff 40 Advocacy Officer 67

Regional Consultation 6 Framework for 5 4 8 0 6,5 0 0 0 0 Cowpea in Zinder

Cooperative Inganci 7 (Leathers and Skins) 3,5 1 3,5 0 1 0 1 0 0 Zinder

Regional College for 8 Cowpea Traders in 3 1 5,5 5,5 1 5 0 0 0 Maradi

Regional Framework 9 4,5 7,5 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 BVCP Maradi

Regional Livestock 10 Producers College in 3 6 0 0 Maradi

11 National CCD/OPEN 7,5 7,5 8,5 0 0 0 0 9 8,5

UCRFTC BCVP de 12 9 5 6,5 6 3 7 0 0 0 Zinder

13 UJA Maradi 7 6,5 7 0 6 0 0 0 0

Regional College for 14 Cowpea Producers in 6 5 4,5 0 0 0 0 0 0 Maradi

15 CCD/OPN Maradi 8 3 9 7 7 1 5 0 0

Regional College for 16 Cowpea Producers in 4 3 8 4 6 3 0 0 0 Tillaberi

Regional College for 17 Livestock Leather and 3 6 7 6 4 6 0 0 0 Skins in Tillabéri

18 Cowpea IP 8 7 6,5 6 8 6 0 0 0

Total 113 63 122 47 54 32 14 37 9

Coefficient 18 14 18 9 11 7 3 4 1

Level 6 4 7 5 5 5 5 9 9

Measuring the staff education level enables REGIS-AG to select participants in future project advocacy and lobbying training sessions and target modules to their appropriate learning ability. Analysis of the above table shows that of the 18 Presidents and Secretary Generals evaluated, the average level of instruction ranges between 6 and 7 points, equivalent to BAC + 1. For the 14 Vice-Presidents evaluated, the average is 4 points corresponding to a 5th College of General Education (C.E.G) level. This level is almost the same for treasurers and information officers. In contrast, coordinators and technicians and advocacy officers have a

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higher level of education, 9 points which is equivalent to a BAC + 5. The latter group appears to be the most appropriate for training. However, their position as an employee is problematic. Overall, the education levels show that REGIS-AG can move forward with these organizations to develop advocacy activities.

After this evaluation, the organizations’ experience in advocacy activities were also evaluated. The figure below reflects each advocacy activity conducted by each platform and shows that of 18 organizations evaluated, 83% of them carried out at least one advocacy action. These advocacy actions were mainly carried out within the framework of the Agricultural Guidance Act, the Organic Law for the Creation of Interprofessions (IP) in Niger, as well as others.

Figure 2: Advocacy activities conducted by each platform

Advocacy Activities 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Capacity Evaluation of 6 platforms in Burkina Faso As part of the implementation of platform capacity-building activities in advocacy, the REGIS-AG team identified 6 platforms in Burkina Faso to work with. They include the Interprofessional Committee of Cereals and Cowpeas (CICB), the Interprofessional Livestock-Meat of Burkina (IPROBEVI-BF), the National Federation of the Livestock / Meat Industry of Burkina (FEBEVIB), the Professional Association of Organizations Burkina Faso's Modern Poultry Industry, the Faso Farmers' Confederation (CPF) and the Federation of Agricultural Professionals of Burkina Faso (FEPAB). With the same objectives as in Niger, the 69

project team based in Burkina Faso exchanged with Niger's teams to harmonize the collection tools and the approach in the collection of information. The evaluation of the six platforms identified above is planned to take place during the fourth quarter.

Activity 5.2: Improve administrative and financial management for inter-professional groups and other platforms

a) Sub-activity 5.2.1: TOT on Governance (i) Regulatory texts ; (ii) Action Plans ; (iii) Technical meetings and reporting on activities The capacity of the 53 community relays (ReCom) trained on issues related to good governance in Niger The value chain analysis carried out in 2015 by the REGIS-AG project as part of Component 1 showed weaknesses linked to governance within the organizations of stakeholders in the target value chains of the project's intervention zones. To improve the integration of governance into how OPs function, Training of Trainers has been undertaken since January 2017, which mainly concerned the community relays (ReComs) selected by REGIS-AG in the regions of Maradi and Zinder. During this quarter, this training session on good governance continued in the Tillabery region of Niger. The topics covered during the various training sessions focused on the following themes: (i) The values and principles of an organization and the key concepts of governance, (ii) The different governance bodies and their roles and responsibilities within an organization which included an analysis of structuring and attribution of departments, the roles and responsibilities of each actor on the executive board, and the rights and duties of members, (iii) Operation of the farmers' organizations of the target value chain actors, the essential elements to be retained for the regulatory texts (statutes, rules of procedure), experiences on governance practices and lessons learned, some tools for implementing good governance within an organization, (iv) Development of an action plan to achieve the OP’s objectives, (v) Management of meetings, (vi) Decision-making process within an organization, (vii) Drafting of a report including meeting and activity reports, (viii) Replication of training received, and (ix) Record keeping within POs. A total of 53 community relays, including 16 women, benefited from this training. Capacity building on good governance for 124 community relays in Burkina Faso In the course of this quarter, as part of the capacity building of POs' leaders for better management, a project team conducted a training tour on issues related to good governance in the REGIS-AG project zones. Prior to the start of the training sessions, consultations were held between the Niger and Burkina Faso teams to harmonize the approach and agree on the tools to be developed. Once the consensus was reached, the Burkina Faso team supported the project’s Governance Specialist and established a timetable for the training sessions in Fada, Dori and Kaya with a goal to reaching 124 ReComs identified in the North Central, East, and Sahel regions. The themes addressed during these training sessions are identical to those developed in Niger. The following table shows the distribution of beneficiaries of this training by region.

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Table 18: Recoms trained on good governance by region Training Date Region Training Number of Number of Total Location Participants Participants Participants (men) (women)

May 15 - 17 East Fada 18 17 35

May 19 - 21 Sahel Dori 26 21 47

May 22 - 24 Central - North Kaya 23 19 42

Total 67 57 124

In Kaya, 79 ReComs were identified as project relays within POs. In order to better facilitate training and ensure that the subject matter would be integrated at the PO level, they were divided into two groups. In May 42 ReComs were trained and the remaining 37 will benefit from the same training in July.

Activity 5.3 : Organize multi-stakeholder workshops a) Sub-activity 5.3.1: Develop and share a VC Poultry structuring approach with key stakeholders (DGPIA, REGIS-ER, DFAP, PPAO, etc.)

REGIS-AG developed a process for establishing regional trade unions. The goal of this approach is to harmonize institutional actors (projects, technical services, institutions such as Réseau National des Chambres d'Agriculture (RECA)) on the relevant procedures and structure of the poultry value chain. In 2017, the project intends to support action steps taken at the regional and communal level.

b) Sub-activity 5.3.2: Diagnose / map all organized and operational actors on the ground of the poultry value chain

In June 2017, the project identified potential OPCVVs in 147 communes in Maradi, Tillaberi and Zinder. This is significant as the OPCVVs will provide a balanced perspective from throughout the region, rather than solely relying on POs the project already has a relationship with. The Regional Poultry Value Coordinators will execute this activity and results from the identification process are expected in early July 2017. These data will help reframe TORs with more effectiveness and efficiency.

Activity 5.4: Identify pilot markets in Niger and Burkina Faso

a) Sub-activity 5.4.2: Select markets in each country for inclusive marketing (3/Niger; 1/Burkina Faso) in collaboration with System d'information sur le marché (SIM) Agricole/Betail

Evaluation of 3 livestock markets in Burkina Faso In Burkina Faso, three livestock markets were evaluated: Kibaaré in the Bilanga commune, Haaba in the Bartiébougou commune, and Tankoualou in the Foutouri commune. The evaluation report indicates that

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markets mobilize an average of 500 to 2,000 head of small ruminants per market day. These markets have management committees but are not representative of all the socio-professional groups in the markets. Of the three committees, only the market of Kibaare is officially recognized. Management tools are non-existent in the Haaba and Tankoualou markets. However in Kibaaré these tools exist but are very weakly informed. In general, the internal statutes and regulations are non-existent or if they exist (in the case of the livestock market of Kibaare) are unknown to the actors. The functioning of these committees is limited, espeically concerning the collection of taxes. All three markets have basic infrastructure to operate, but this remains insufficient. The capacity building needs of the existing management committees have been identified. An action plan will be developed and the REGIS-AG team will support its implementation.

b) Sub-activity 5.4.3: Negotiate agreements with 6 municipalities in focal areas in Niger and 1 in Burkina Faso to establish co-management of markets

Market Transfer Agreement to the Dori Management Committee in Burkina Faso In Burkina Faso, a meeting was held on April 27, 2017 between a team from REGIS-AG and the Mayor of the municipality of Dori, to establish the Livestock Market Management Committee in Dori and sign the agreement. Prior to signing, the Mayor made observations and amendments which were agreed upon by the Market Management Committee. The contract to the committee is for a trial period of 6 months. At the end of this period, a committee management performance assessment will be carried out before a transfer of management to the committee for a longer period. According to the agreement, the livestock market management committee will pay the mayor the sum of two hundred and twenty-five thousand (225,000 FCFA) each market day. The Secretary General of the municipality is responsible for finalizing the agreement and submitting it for signature by both parties (town hall and livestock market management committee). Signature of 5 agreements for the sale of livestock markets to management committees supported by REGIS- AG in Niger In Niger, the five interim agreements transferring management authority for livestock markets from the Communes of Mirria, Yaouri, Matamèye, Guidan Roumdji, of Chadoua to the livestock markets management committees were finalized and signed. . As a reminder, the aim of these agreements is to fully engage the municipalities in co-management with the livestock market actors, who will subsequently be organized as GIE by REGIS-AG. These agreements are available at REGIS-AG project level.

c) Sub-activity 5.4.4: Support establishing, organizing, and training market management committees Support to the establishment of 4 market management committees in Burkina Faso During this quarter, two (2) workshops were held in Burkina Faso to support four (4) livestock markets to develop their own statutes and bylaws, define the composition of their management committees, and roles assigned to each member of the committee. The delegation from the municipality gave an example of an agreement for the market management delegation to the participants. The technical services will support the municipality and other actors in adapting it according to their market specificity.

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The first workshop was held in Dori from 10 to 11 May 2017 and brought together 49 participants including two (2) women, 43 participants were from the livestock markets of Seytenga, Yalgo and Sampelga, three (3) representatives from municipalities, and three (3) technical service officers for livestock in charge of managing these markets. The second workshop was held in the municipality of Barsalogho from 25 to 26 May 2017. A total of 32 representatives, including 4 women, from stakeholder groups participated in the workshop. The town council and the breeding technical service participated, each with two representatives. As a result of the workshops,, the improvements and changes made it possible to finalize the documents and send them to the current market committees. In all, six (6) markets in different communes have internal statutes and regulations (Barsalogho, Yalgo, Pissila, Samplega, Seytenga and Dori) and some will have to restructure their management committees according to the proposals made by representatives of the market groups (e.g. Barsalogho, Seytenga and Yalgo).

Also, on 17 June 2017, a meeting was held in Pissila with the President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer of the COGES41 to monitor the evolution of the market and negotiations with the town hall. It is evident that the Livestock Market Committee in Pissila has undertaken awareness-raising measures with market participants in fiscal discipline, in particular with paying taxes. In addition to the entry fees, exit taxes are paid by the buyer and other taxes as follows: (i) cattle: 200 FCFA / head; (ii) small ruminant: 100 FCFA / head; (iii) parking (specifically for 3-wheelers): 200 FCFA; (iv) 20 L water can: 25 FCFA.

The committee also acquired 100 20-liter containers to facilitate access to water for the participants and 10 iron drums were also purchased to manufacture drinking troughs. It was also noted with satisfaction: a return of fiscal discipline in the market, the actors are paying more of their taxes and an increase in the number of small ruminant heads is recorded per day. The current average number of heads of small ruminants recorded is 780 per market day, which equals 2,340 head of small ruminants per week (the market is held every three days). Nevertheless, negotiations with the municipality continue, the agreement is not yet signed, which is primarily due to the quasi absence of the commune mayor.

Monitoring management committees in Niger In Niger, the same livestock market monitoring was organized in May 2017 by the small ruminant value chain regional coordinators for the 9 livestock GIEs set up in 2016. The overall objective of this evaluation is to improve how the GIEs for livestock markets function and manage the markets in Niger. At the end of the implementation of this activity, the following results were synthesized in the table below.

41 Management Committee (Comité de Gestion) 73

Table 19 : Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis for GIE livestock markets in Niger

STRENGHTS42 WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

- Availability of an authorization signed by the town hall (a), - Formalization of the - Acquisition of 5-ha - Lack of GIE - Commitment by the mayor to sign the convention at the different bodies of land to host the new official next session (a), market players (a), livestock market (a, g, documents - Existence of a very active TOT trainer (a), - Inadequate literacy of GIE h), (a), - The mayor's commitment to ensuring that the GIE works office members(a, b), - Signature of the - Inadequate and that it is the only structure able to take the market in - Lack of GIE offensive agreement for the monitoring of management (a, h), towards the Town hall (a, construction of a new proximity of - Office Meetings (a, b, d, e, h), d), modern livestock the GIE (a), - Intense market awareness of the daily market (b, c, f), - Lack of training and market with PRAPS (a), - Customs - The cohesion and motivation of the members of the GIE market awareness for - The new market will harassment office (b, h, i), participants livestock be under free (d), - Signature of the agreement with the town hall (b, e, h), regulation, trade, management (a), - Reduction of - A marked improvement in obtaining receipts (b, c, g), management and - Signature of the pastoral - Formalization of more than 80% market players (b), marketing, etc. (a, b, c, e, agreement with the resources (d, - Decrease in off-market sales to over 90% (b, c) g, i), town hall (b), e, f), - Establishment of a market safety committee (c, e, f), - Lack of sound tools for - Collaboration with the - Weakness of - Massive adhesion of the various market players (c), sensitization (b), town hall to eliminate the Naira - Organization of the market (end to the anarchical - Insufficient off-market sales and compared to occupation of the hangars inside the market): the hangars communication (c), the payment of taxes FCFA (d, e, f), were placed outside the market (d), - Lack of contributions, (b); - Administrative - - GIE Meeting addressing how to prevent thefts in the membership fees (c, f), Reconciliation with slowness, market (d), - Insufficient office technical and financial - The economic partners (P2RS, PRAPS, - Implementation of a contribution system (d), meetings (c), crisis (e, f), AREN, APES, World - - Opening of a bank account (Atlantic Bank) (d), - Absence of legal acts (d, Insufficient Vison, ZFD SWISSAID, political will, - Retraining meeting for GIE Recom to relay to office e, h), International Water, - members (d), - Misunderstanding from Insecurity in PRODAF, PACT, FICOD, the area (e), - Weekly contribution, GIE office team(d, i), - REGIS (c,d,e,f, h, i), - Frequency of - Request for quotation for water supply, Low knowledge of texts (d, i)), - Renovated road animal - Identification and reorganization of intermediaries (e, f), - Absence of approval for networks (c), diseases (e, f), - Reflection committee for the implementation of certain trades and of GIEs - Programming the - Breakdown of restaurant owners/operators(e), themselves(e, f), convetion signature at the Niamey- - Construction of a motorcycle park (f), - Misunderstanding of the next session of the Balleyara road - Induction of the President of the GIE(f), texts (f), municipal council (c), (f), - Awareness on the settlement of livestock market conflicts - Faulty hydraulic system - Change of mindset of - Slowness in (f), (f), market players (c), the acquisition - Awareness-raising on the reporting of animal diseases in - Slown contribution - Proximity of Niamey of NIF (g, i). the livestock service (f), collection (g, h). (d), - Sensitization on the fight against the slaughter of animals - Existence of RN6 (d), inside the market (f), - Border with Burkina - Making a seal (f), Faso (d), - Preparation of a car-motorcycle parking lot (f), - Pastoral zone (d), - Preparation of loading dock books (f). - Existence of financial - Improved market attendance (g, i) institutions such as - Good understanding and cohesion among GIE members ASUSU, BENIF AFUWA, (g), AL IZZA (e, f). - Respect for the roles and responsibilities of each actor (h, i) - Dynamism of the President of GIE (i).

At the end of the discussions, the following recommendations were made by the members of GIE:

42 (a)= GIE in Magaria, (b)=GIE in Kwaya, (c)=GIE in Gada, (d)=GIE in Torodi, (e)=GIE in Filingué, (f)=GIE in Balleyara, (g)= GIE in Dakoro, (h)= GIE in Mayahi et (i)=GIE in Sabon Machi 74

• Continue close monitoring of the different livestock market GIEs in order to complete their operational shortcomings (a, b, c, g, h, i) • Open Alpha Centers in different offices to help some GIE members to read and write (a, b, c), • Provide the various offices with administrative documents (a, b, c, g, h, i), • Train members on various marketing and management practices (a, b, c, g, h, i); • Organize travel exchanges for certain members of GIE offices (a, b, c), • Support the process of signing an agreement with the various municipalities that have not yet done so (a, c, d) • Integrate the other existing GIEs into the database so that they can benefit from follow-up (ex: Gouré GIE case) to Zinder • Accompany livestock GIEs to have communal agreemtns or registration for those who have not (b, c, d, e, f), • Accompany the GIE livestock markets to have livestock trade agreements once the agreements have been signed (a, b, c), • Continue to raise awareness among GIE members (d, f), • Create transit corridors to access livestock market (d), • Search for partners for capacity building of stakeholders (e), • Accelerate the water supply process for the livestock market; • Construction of a motorcycle parking area; • Electrify the livestock market; • Create an inter-community network, inter-state economic operators, • Repair the hydraulic network by the City Council (f), • Promote the livestock feed market (f), • Repairing the market (f), • Hold periodic meetings at the GIE office (f), • Establish a contribution system (f), • Invite and bear the expenses of GIE distinguished members of the GIE constituent assemblies to workshops (g, h, i), • Accommodate the texts of the co-management agreement to avoid misuse by malicious actors and create subversions or splits in these groups (g, h, i).

As part of implementing the proposals developed during workshops on livestock market operations, the municipal authority organized an official ceremony on June 12, 2017 to award the GIE Hasken Kara with managing the local market in Mayahi, Maradi. The photos below show part of this event.

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From left to right, the President of the GIE, the Deputy Mayor of the Mayhi Urban Commune, and the Department Prefect delivering their speeches on this occasion.

Also, this quarter was marked by USAID's visit to the Balleyara livestock market GIE. A debriefing was given by USAID Niger Agriculture Development Officer, who was encouraged by the results achieved thus far.

Activity 5.6: Coordinate with the Trade Hub on regional trade issues

a) Sub-activity 5.6.1: Coordinate with the Trade Hub on regional trade issues and on collaboration with regional interprofessional associations; participate in regional meetings.

This quarter, REGIS-AG participated in the training organized and fully funded by Trade Hub and CONFENABVI-AO on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) from April 24-28, 2017 in Abidjan. The objective of this workshop is to harmonize SPS practices in Mali, Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire with the main objective of increasing the supply of live animals to Côte d'Ivoire, whose production covers only up to 40 % of the market demand for meat. Following the training which reached 30 individuals including 2 women, they identified problems with SPS measures in the three countries (e.g. non-acceptance of veterinary certificates across countries, etc). In particular, REGIS-AG supported the development of an action plan which identifies three major activities: (i) Facilitate collaboration between veterinary services in the three countries, (ii) Organize meetings for decision-makers, in particular the three ministers from the three countries, (iii) Revitalize SPS national committees and the action plans drawn up following discussions between the various actors.

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Table 20: Action Plan to Implement the SPS Regulations on the International Veterinary Certificate

N Activities Sub Activites File Observations Timeline °

1-1 Meeting of veterinary directors Sub-activity conducted in and their collaborators (Border Directorate consultation with Trade Hub and Certification Officers and Regional General of COFENABVI / National Directors of Border Regions) as well Veterinary Mid-June 2017 Facilitating Federations. The meeting will be as COFENABVI / National Services of consultation held in Ivory Coast near the Federations (who participate in Burkina Faso between the borders of the three countries. 1 advocacy) veterinary services of the Directorate three countries Sub-activity conducted in General of 1-2 Study tour of Ivorian veterinary consultation with Trade Hub and Veterinary Mid-July 2017 services in Burkina Faso and in Mali the veterinary services from Mali Services in and Côte d’Ivoire. Burkina Faso

Directorate of Organize consultation between decision-makers veterinary 2 (ministers responsible for animal husbandry in the three September 2017 services in Cote countries). d’Ivoire

Activity carried out in Directorate of Beginning of July consultation with Trade Hub and 3 Boost SPS national committees (create for Mali) veterinary 2017 and then COFENABVI/ national services in Mali permanently federations.

Activity carried out in Veterinary consultation with Trade Hub, From the Services from COFENABVI / National beginning of 4 Monitoring and Evaluation Burkina Faso Federations and the Veterinary activities and Services Directorates of Mali and then permanently Côte d'Ivoire (one focal point per veterinary service).

Activity carried out in consultation with the veterinary COFENABVI/ At the end of the services and Trade Hub soliciting 5 Mobilizaton of funding national workshop from financing from the States, federation April 25-27, 2017 UEMOA, ECOWAS, CILSS as well as USDA, STDF, USAID etc.

During this quarter, Component 5 and Component 3 teams and a USAID team based in Dakar proposed TORs as part of the organization of a conference on seeds and fertilizers. Over the course of three meetings in Niger, the Technical Directorates, notably the Directorate General of Agriculture, amended the presentations and TORs submitted.

In consultation with the technical divisions, USAID recommended to continue discussions of the framework and organization of the conference including significant involvement and accountability during the process with: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Niger and Burkina Faso, the Embassy of the United States,

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INRAN, World Bank and MCC. Thus, during the next quarter, the technical team intends to implement these recommendations.

Also this quarter, the Chief of Party and the Component 5 Manager participated in a conference on seed regulations organized by CORAF in Accra. The project team contributed toward developing several topics related to seed regulations for the future conference. This conference provided an opportunity for the team to contact partners such as CORAF, IFDC, the USAID team as a prelude to the seed and fertilizer conferences that will likely be held in September 2017 in Niamey and Ouagadougou.

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PART 3 - PROJECT PERFORMANCE - Level of Achievement in Q3 of FY17 Expected Outcomes and Performance Indicators

3.1. Main M&E Activities During the reporting period, six activities were completed by the Monitoring and Evaluation team: • Carrying out an assessment of the outcomes of project fairs and market linkage events • Supporting the consulting firm that is carrying out the baseline survey • Updating the M&E database with data collected • Preparation for the annual survey • MEL staff recruitment • Reporting

3.1.1 Monitoring and Evaluation from project fairs and market linkage events

In order to understand the impact of fairs and market linkage events, a follow-up survey of these important project activities was carried out. The survey was conducted in Burkina Faso during March 2017 and in Niger in May 2017. • In Burkina Faso, a team of six were mobilized to interview 40 cowpea OPs, 24 small ruminant OPs, 9 poultry OPs, and 24 agrodealers. In Niger, the survey was carried out by 7 investigators and involved 27 OPs, 29 small ruminant OPs, 8 poultry OPs and 22 agrodealers. The results were entered on CS Pro and then exported to SPSS for clearance, processing, and analysis. The draft of the report was elaborated and shared with the project management; It will be finalized in Q4FY17. • A key result that emerges from this survey is that a majority of participants at these events made business contacts and these resulted in actual transactions amounting to US $141,360, as detailed in the table below. Table 21: Overall achievements in each targeted value chain Cowpea Small Ruminants Poultry Burkina Niger Burkina Niger Burkina Niger % of respondents who established trade contacts after • Fairs 71 81 10 84 83 86 • Market Linkage Events 100 95 100 85 67 0 % of respondents who made sales after the fair • Fairs 60 38 10043 26 40 100 • Market Linkage Events 34 21 15 22 1 0 385,000 3,016,167 288,000 68,770,00044 213,300 7,800,000 Value of sales completed post-events (1 OP) (5 OP) (3OP) $68 $5,357 $511 $122,149 $378 $13,854

43 Only one OP made contacts at the fair and was able to make sales afterward. 44 In Niger, after the fairs, four (4) POs carried out sales for sheep approximately totaling of 64,270,000 FCFA and two (2) POs carried out sales for goats approximately totaling 4,500,000 Fcfa. 79

Moreover, the main proposal for improvement made by the respondents concerns the time required to organize fairs and the advertisement of the fair to participants and buyers. The project plans to address this by intensifying communication at least two to three weeks before the event. Respondents also suggested that they be organized in all regions, that the project award prizes to the best exhibitors, a better handling of the participation costs of the beneficiaries, and better event promotion to encourage greater participation from buyers.

3.1.2 Monitoring the baseline survey for the project The project entrusted the design office GRAD consulting with the completion of its basic survey. The collection phase took place during the months of April and May 2017 in Burkina Faso and Niger. To ensure the quality of the results, the MEL staff of the REGIS-AG project carried out the supervision of the data collection on the ground in Burkina Faso. This supervision enabled the project staff to check the completed collection sheets and to make recommendations on the administration of the questionnaires. In Niger, supervision of the MEL team could not be done on the ground for a problem of coordination and communication between the firm and the MEL team of the project. The results of this survey are expected in the coming months.

3.1.3 Update the monitoring and evaluation data base As part of the implementation of a reliable monitoring and evaluation system in line with the recommendations of the project monitoring and evaluation consultant and the recommendations of the data quality assessments carried out by SAREL, an update of the monitoring and evaluation sheets and the training of the field teams was carried out in the previous quarter thanks to the filling of the files by the trained staff. These continue to be captured in the M & E database with the support of data entry providers. This database is used to inform the performance indicators of the quarterly report and to carry out the sampling for the surveys. The difficulty associated with the slowness in the transmission of these cards persists but it will be addressed by the addition of new MEL staff, starting in Q4FY17.

3.1.4 Prepare the annual survey In order to inform the outcome indicators of the performance monitoring table, it is planned to carry out an annual survey during the months of August - September 2017. Terms of reference on the methodology and budget of this survey have been developed and are being finalized. The results of this survey will provide information on the following indicators: • (01) Value (US $) of incremental sales (collected at farm level) attributed to program implementation

• (02) Gross margins (US $) per hectare (for cowpeas), or animal (goat, sheep, chickens, guinea fowl) or cage of selected product • 2a: Gross margins (US $) for cowpea/ ha. • 2b: Gross margins for small ruminant (goat and sheep) • 2c: Gross margins for poultry (chickens and guinea fowl) 80

• (2.3) % of households in which a woman has benefited directly from ownership of personal fields, new ownership of small ruminants or poultry, or involvement in a saving/loan program • (2.4) % of households engaged in a new income-generating micro-enterprise as a result of USG interventions; • (2.6) # of stakeholders implementing risk-reducing practices/actions to improve resilience to climate change as a result of USG assistance; • (3.2) # of Farmers who have adopted new technologies or management practices as a result of USG assistance • (3.5) # of private enterprises, producer organizations, water user associations, trade and business associations, and community-based organizations (CBOs) that applied new technologies or management practices as a result of USG assistance

3. 2. Status of achievement of performance indicators at Q3 in FY17 REGIS-AG Monitoring and Evaluation Plan includes a list of 36 indicators used to measure and report project progress and impact. All indicators used are designated as either Feed the Future (FtF) indicators (18) or custom indicators (18) developed especially for the REGIS-AG project. Twenty-two (22) of these indicators are Output (OP) indicators while 14 are Impact/Outcome (I/O) indicators. Project performance on these indicators is presented in Table 21 below with justifications and observations.

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Table 22: Project performance and progress towards achieving project performance results

Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) 0.1 Value (US $) of US $ by country: This is partly dependent on the Incremental sales − Total $4.21mil $0 $ 400,000 $0 0% $0 0% baseline survey which is now being (collected at farm − Niger carried out. Values of sales are level) attributed to − Burkina Faso recorded in specific activities. In program US $ by VC addition, in Q4FY17, the project will implementation − Cowpea carry out an annual survey that will − S. ruminants determine values of sales for target − Poultry beneficiaries. The survey results will be reported in Q4FY17 in the annual US $ by Sex: report. It was not done in FY16 due − Men to the limitation of the MEL system − Women and project leadership instability throughout the first part of the year. 0.2a Gross margins US $ by country: Same as above (US $) per hectare − Total $1,024 $0 $ 512 $0 0¨% $0 0% (for cowpeas) − Niger − Burkina Faso US $ by Sex:

− Men − Women 0.2b Gross margins US $ by country: Same as above (US $ per adult − Total $17.00 $0 $ 12 $0 0% $0 0% animal) for small − Niger ruminants (goat and − Burkina Faso US $ by animal: sheep) − Goat − Sheep US $ by Sex:

− Men − Women 0.2c Gross margins US $ by country: Same as above. (US $) for poultry − Total $3.40 $0 $ 2.00 $0 0% $0 0% − Niger 82

Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) (chickens and guinea − Burkina Faso fowl) US $ by poultry:

− chicken − guinea fowl US $ by Sex:

− male − female 2.1 # of Food security # by country: The count includes the number of private enterprises, − Total 600 616 90 110 122% 835 139% POs that have benefited of trainings producer, water user − Niger on the PICS bags, business linkage or community based − Burkina Faso 110 events through fairs, B to B events, # by VC: organizations, and meetings with agro dealers, and women's groups, − Cowpea the number of POs’ marketing trade and business − S. ruminants manager who received project guide associations receiving − Poultry for poultry production, and market # by type of org.: USG-funded management committees, and private assistance − POs veterinarian system. Given that the LOP target has already been met, the project now plans to focus on intensifying support to these beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of this outcome as opposed to add more beneficiaries. However, some additional (new) POs will be strategically added in subsequent quarters, especially given the target of 50,525 households set for indicator 2.2. 2.2 # of vulnerable # by country: During this quarter, staff made field households benefiting − Total 50,525 24,095 11,365 1,530 13% 26,036 51% visits to sensitize PO’s for directly from USG − Niger 665 warrantage. Those meetings interventions − Burkina Faso 865 recorded many participants. Many more activities directly benefiting vulnerable households will be

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Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) organized throughout the year. For Q3FY17, among the 1530 households that benefited directly from project interventions only 274 were new and they were all from Burkina Faso. The number 26036 corresponds to 24 095 households that benefited in FY16 + 1667 new ones in Q1FY17 + 274 new in Q3FY17. No new household was recorded in Q2FY17. 2.3 % of households in % by country: In Q4FY17, the project will carry out which a woman has − Total 25% 3% 18% 0% 0% 3% 12% an annual survey that will determine benefited directly − Niger % of households in which a woman from ownership of − Burkina Faso has benefited directly from % by VC: personal fields, new ownership of personal fields, new ownership of small − Cowpea ownership of small ruminants or ruminants or poultry, − S. ruminants poultry, or involvement in a or involvement in a savings/loan program. The survey savings/loan program − Poultry results will be reported in Q4FY17 in the annual report. 2.4 % of households % by country: In Q4FY17, the project will carry out engaged in a new − Total 40% 0 25% 0 0% 0 0% an annual survey that will determine income-generating − Niger % engaged in a new income- micro-enterprise as a − Burkina Faso generating micro-enterprise as a result of USG result of project interventions. The interventions survey results will be reported in Q4FY17 in the annual report. 2.5 # of new jobs # by country: The annual survey for determining attributed to USG − Total 2,920 166 360 0 0% 166 6% this is planned for Q4 FY17 and will

implementation* − Niger 99 0 99 be reported in the same quarter in − Burkina Faso 67 0 67 the annual report. The survey will # by VC: include agrodealers, processors and − Cowpea other SMEs the project will have − S. ruminants

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Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) − Poultry supported in FY17. The survey # by Sex: results will be reported in Q4FY17. − Male − Female 2.6 # of stakeholders # by country : The annual survey for determining implementing risk- − Total 19,840 1,347 3,680 0 0% 1,347 7% this is planned for Q4 FY17 and will reducing − Niger 0 be reported in the same quarter in − Burkina practices/actions to 0 the annual report.. improve resilience to Faso climate change as a # by Sex: result of USG − Male assistance − Female 2.7 # of market # by country : Two fairs were organized in Q1FY17 exchanges (bourses) − Total 95 21 13 10 131% 38 40% and 5 in Q2FY17. The project is on and fairs linking sellers − Niger 15 6 21 track for achieving the LOP target. and buyers − Burkina Faso 6 3 4 9 # by VC:

− Cowpea − S ruminants − Poultry # by country : 2.8 # of women’s 40 0 5 0 0% 0 0% The process of transforming POs in groups transformed − Total GIEs is still at the stage of validating into GIEs − Niger the project strategy for achieving the − Burkina expected results. The validation Faso workshop was held in Q2 of FY17. # by VC: Follow up activities that lead to − Cowpea transformation of POs into GIE are − S ruminants still ongoing. − Poultry 3.1 metric cube (#) of Metric meters By Increase in installed country, VC, & 85,000 - 10,000 0 - - - storage capacity (m3) Sex # by country : − Total 48,550 1,347 13,767 0 0% 1,347 3%

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Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) 3.2 # of Farmers who − Niger 0 have adopted new The annual survey for determining − Burkina Faso 0 technologies or this is planned for Q4 FY17 and will # by Sex: management be reported in the same quarter in − Male practices as a result of the annual report. − Female USG assistance 3.3 # of agro-dealers # by country : 112 agrodealers were trained in trained in business − Total 250 0 90 99 110% 112 45% Q2FY17 in Burkina Faso. In Q3FY17, management and − Niger 99 of these agrodealers benefitted for technical skills − Burkina Faso a second training. Training of # by Sex: agrodealers is planned in Niger for − Male Q4FY17. − Female 3.4 # of private # by country : In FY16, the project had set up 6 veterinarian outreach − Total 7 6 2 2 100% 8 114% networks (3 in each country). Two services (SVPPs) − Niger 0 new ones have already been set up in created − Burkina Faso 2 Burkina Faso in Q3FY17. 3.5 # of private # by country : The annual survey for determining enterprises, producer − Total 480 59 72 0 0% 59 12% this is planned for Q4 FY17 and will organizations, water − Niger 0 be reported in the same quarter in user associations, − Burkina Faso 0 the annual report. # by Sex: trade and business associations, and − Male community-based − Female # by VC: organizations (CBOs) that applied new − Cowpea technologies or − S ruminants management − Poultry practices as a result of # by type of ent. USG assistance − POs 3.6 # of private # by country : The count includes the number of enterprises, producer − Total 600 616 90 110 122% 835 139% POs that have benefited of trainings organizations, water − Niger 0 on the PICS bags, business linkage user associations, − Burkina Faso 110 events through fairs, B to B events,

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Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) trade and business and meetings with agro dealers, and associations, and the number of POs’ marketing community-based manager who received project guide organizations (CBOs) for poultry production, and market receiving USG management committees, and private assistance veterinarian system. Given that the LOP target has already been met, the project now plans to focus on intensifying support to these beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of this outcome as opposed to add more beneficiaries. However, some additional (new) POs will be strategically added in subsequent quarters, especially given the target of 50,525 households set for indicator 2.2.

4.1 Value(US $) of US$ by country : In FY17, some plans to support new private sector − Total $250,000 $0 $75,000 $0 0% $0 0% processors have been dr investment in the − Niger jafted and more are being drafted and agricultural sector or − Burkina Faso will also include feed producers. US $ by VC: value chain leveraged Their implementation will involve by project − Cowpea private sector investment such as implementation − S ruminants glass boxes for selling meat glass cage − Poultry for sales of meat under reasonable hygienic conditions, solar power for conservation of perishable products,

or Kilichi in Burkina Faso. This will contribute to achieving the target FY18. 4.2 Value (US $) of US$ by country: $55,588 ($22,122 in Niger et $33,466 agriculture and rural − Total $6.021 M $0 $1,602,500 6,545 4% 62 134 1% in Burkina Faso) were disbursed in 87

Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) loans made by USG − Niger 6,545 Q2FY17 as loans to farmers involved assisted financial − Burkina Faso 0 in FY16 warrantage. In Q3FY17, institution loans amounting to $6,545 were disbursed to 6 PO in Niger to processors and for inputs procurement. More loans will be mobilized through FY17 warrantage that is currently under preparation. Note: preparation for warrantage starts before the growing season (Q3) and grains are sold 4-6 months after harvest (Q1). 4.3 # of new and/or # by country: No new and/or innovative services innovative services − Total 12 1 2 0 0% 1 8% and technologies were made available (including insurance) − Niger to VC actors as a result of the and technologies − Burkina Faso project during Q1 to Q3. However, available to VC actors there are a number of support plans as a result of USG that are being developed and their assistance implementation will generate the data that will allow the project to meet the target set stating in for FY18. 4.4 Number of # by country: 99 PO received project assistance to MSMEs, including − Total 1,540 0 412 6 24% +105 7% access loans under the warrantage farmers, receiving − Niger activity in Q2FY17 and 6 PO received USG assistance to − Burkina Faso project assistance in Niger to access access loans loans for processing and inputs procurement in Q2FY17. Much more POs are expected to receive project

assistance to access loans during the implementation in FY18 of the support plans that are currently being developed. # by country: − Total 20 0 6 0 0% 0 0%

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Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) 4.5 # of Strategic − Niger Services Sub-awards − Burkina Faso awarded 4.6 # of business plans # by country: Support plans are currently being developed with USG − Total 280 0 60 0 % 0 0% developed and these will include assistance − Niger 0 business plans. With this strategy, the − Burkina Faso project is likely to achieve the target 0 by its ends. 4.7 # of MSMEs, # by country: 2,925 come from 640 MSMEs that including farmers, − Total 2,439 1,394 569 891 156% 2,925 120% benefitted in in Q2FY17 and 891 in receiving business − Niger Q3FY17 in addition to the 1,394 development services − Burkina Faso recorded in FY16. This data reports from USG assisted results of advisory services and services trainings the project provided to MSMEs when attending activities such

as fairs, business linkage development workshops, training on good processing or production practices, & training on use of PICS bags). 4.8 # of public-private # by country: These are the 15 management partnerships formed − Total 6 0 2 15 750% 15 250% committees set up in livestock as a result of FtF − Niger 9 9 markets to revitalize them. The assistance − Burkina Faso 6 6 private business men operating in the market have MOUs with the municipalities to jointly managed the markets 5.1 # of laws or # by country: Seven 7 laws were reviewed in a regulatory actions − Total 10 0 2 7 350% 7 70% workshop platform in Niger to advocated by − Niger advocate necessary reforms. associations of value − Burkina Faso chain actors (e.g., farmers, agro- pastoralists, cooperatives, traders, 89

Target Target achieved Q3 achieved to Target Unit/ LOP Target FY17 date (FY15- Indicator achieved Justifications and observations Disaggregation Target FY17 (30/06/2017) 17) FY15-16 Rate Unit Rate Unit (%) (%) processor, exporter associations) and accepted by host government 5.2 # of multi- # by country: In Q3 three workshops have been stakeholder − Total 92 22 20 3 15% 35 38% held one as a forum to link agro workshops organized − Niger dealers and producers and two for − Burkina Faso revitalizing of market committees. Two multi-stakeholder conferences 2 3 are being planned in Burkina Faso and Niger to discuss challenges farmers have to access fertilizer and seeds. 5.3 # of livestock # by country: In total, 15 livestock markets have markets revitalized − Total 25 2 4 15 375% 15 60% been revitalized, 9 markets in Niger through community − Niger 9 and 6 others in Burkina Faso. management − Burkina Faso 6 5.4 # of trade # by country: No trade associations/profession associations/profession − Total 8 0 2 0 0% 0 0% group has yet been supported with groups supported with − Niger advocacy skills and strategic plans. advocacy skills and − Burkina Faso However, there are a number of strategic plans support plans that are being developed and their implementation

will generate the data that will allow the project to meet the target set stating in for FY18. 5.5 # of quarterly # by country: One project workshop was learning meetings & − Total 18 4 4 1 25% 7 38% organized in April in Burkina Faso at project wide learning − Niger Kaya to review Q2FY17 summits − Burkina Faso implementation and plan activities to 1 be implemented in Q3FY17.

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PART 4 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project management activities focused on ensuring adequate project staffing, meaningful reporting, effective communication, and adequate planning and monitoring. This part of the report summarizes activities REGIS-AG carried out in these areas during the reporting period.

4.1. Project staff During the previous reporting period, the project experienced a major staffing change with the termination of the Senior Value Chain Advisor Charles Stathacos. At the time of submission of Q2FY17 report, CNFA had received approval for Mr. Steven Humphreys for his replacement. He was mobilized on June 18, 2017. Apart from the project Senior Value Chain Advisor position, other four (04) vacant approved positions and four (04) new ones were filled during the reporting period as indicated in Table 23 and Table 24, respectively.

Table 23: Approved REGIS-AG vacant positions filled during the reporting period Date Replacement Location Position Date started vacated staff name (Organization)

Value Chain & 24, March Steven Niamey 18, June 2017 Marketing Advisor 2017 Humphreys

Input Supply specialist 15, January Yaou Salifou Niamey 17, April 2017 2017

MEL Specialist 15, January Tidjani Paul Niamey 1st, May 2017 2017 Diarra

Administrative December Zénabou Ouagadougou 1st, May 2017 Assistant 2016 Samadoulougou

DRR/Resilience New hire45 Lawali Niamey 2, May 2017 Specialist Abdoulaye

Table 24: Approved new REGIS-AG positions filled during the reporting period Location Position Staff name Date started (Organization)

Small Ruminants Value Chain Lead Nayaba Diesongo Fada N’Gourma 1st, May 2017

45 This is a position that was approved in the contract but had not been filled due to difficulties encountered in identifying a good candidate and the long time it took to approve previous candidates.

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Location Position Staff name Date started (Organization)

Small Ruminant VC specialist Abroulaye Sanfo Fada N’Gourma 1st, May 2017

Poultry VC Specialist Sibiri Clément Lompo Fada N’Gourma 24, April 2017

Administrative, Accounting and Antoinette Fada N’Gourma 24, April 2017 Logistics Assistant Tiendrebeogo

As indicated in Table 25, six (06) other positions that were approved in March 29, 2017 To strengthen the project M&EL system are still vacant. Candidates have been identified and their applications were submitted to USAID for approval on June 14, 2017.

Table 25: REGIS-AG positions submitted to USAID approval

Location Date submitted Position Staff name (Organization) to USAID

MEL Assistant Garba Bakoye Tillabéri, Niger 14 June 2017

MEL Assistant Amadou Kalilou Maradi 14 June 2017

MEL Assistant Mahamadou Zaroumey Zinder 14 June 2017

MEL Assistant Hermann Ouedraogo Dori 14 June 2017

MEL Assistant Dieudonné Ouedraogo Fada N’Gourma 14 June 2017

MEL Assistant Nicole Millogo Ouagadougou 14 June 2017

At the end of the previous quarter, the project had 69 staff distributed in six (06) offices. With the new hires, project implementation is being carried out by a team of 74 staff distributed in the same offices as indicated in the Table 26. In three of the six project offices, REGIS-AG continued to co-locate with REGIS-ER.

Table 26: REGIS-AG staffing and geographic distribution Number of staff Co-location Project offices with REGIS-ER Technical Admin & Finance Total

In Burkina Faso: 21 8 29 -

• Ouagadougou 6 5 11 Yes

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• Dori 12 2 14 No

• Fada 3 1 4 No

In Niger: 34 10 45 -

• Niamey 17 8 26 No

• Maradi 4 0 4 Yes

• Tillabéri 4 0 4 Yes

• Zinder 9 2 11 No

All project employees continued to be fully equipped. The purchase of six (06) motorcycles for Niger and one (01) additional vehicle for Burkina Faso which was approved by USAID has now been completed and the equipment has been received.

4.2. Management activities During the reporting period, the project COP provided the overall leadership for project management. However, for each of the project components, specific staff members were formally assigned the leadership responsibility for the day-to-day management of activities under a component. Key management activities carried out during the quarter are the following: • Weekly project planning/review meetings with staff in Burkina Faso and Niamey. • Coordination meeting with the project subcontract partners in Niamey in early May to review implementation progress and challenges. • Skype-based meetings46 with CNFA backstopping team in Washington DC. • Multiple meetings between the COP, the DCOP and Project Manager to monitor activity implementation and discuss challenges encountered. • Multiple email and face-to-face exchanges between the COP and the COR that often resulted in critical guidance and direction which led to significant improvements of project implementation. • Work planning meeting held in Burkina Faso (3-7 April) to review Q2FY17 implementation and plan for Q3FY17. • More frequent exchanges with REGIS-ER COP to strengthen collaboration between the two projects. • A critical discussion with staff for sharpening activity focus based on the new value chain strategy and the need for stronger collaboration with REGIS-ER and DFAP to improve production levels.

46 These are meetings that bring together the REGIS-AG management team (i.e., COP, DCOP, Program Manager, Value Chain Advisor, and DFO) and the CNFA backstopping team based in Washington DC (Program Manager, Program Coordinator, Finance Officer, and Vice President for Programs) to discuss updates on activities and administrative issues. They are led by the DC-based Program Manager who sends an agreed upon agenda before each meeting. This platform allows the Washington DC team to guide and support the COP. 94

• Multiple consultations for joint work planning sessions with REGIS-ER and the DFAP. • Joint work plan implementation review meeting held with SAWKI (21-23 June). Was done with LAHIA during the previous reporting period.

4.3. Major Meetings and Visits

Major meetings • Small Ruminants VC Lead and Program Manager met with the Minister of Livestock to discuss the order of 21,000 heads of small ruminants from Senegal for the Tabaski Festival; • Participation of the Program Manager in the Workshop for the Review of the Implementation of the USAID FFP Programs in Niger and Burkina Faso in Niamey, Niger 16-18 May, 2017 • Participation of the Gender Specialist at the first meeting of the gender working group for RISE partners on Wednesday 19 April 2017. The meeting addressed setting up the framework which fosters synergy between projects, sharing of experiences, capitalization, and learning. • Participation of the Gender Specialist in the meeting of the technical advisory group (GTC) regarding the community video approach on 10 May 2017. • Participation of the Gender Specialist in the launch of the pilot project regarding couples’ dialogue for a better resilience of households (Mercy Corps). • Participation of the Cowpea VC Lead in an inter-professional cowpea association workshop in Dosso. • Participation of the Cowpea VC Lead at the opening of the 2nd Fair on Financing of Agriculture organized by AgriProFocus Niger. • Participation of the COP at the USAID Markets GLEE meeting in Dakar (June 5-10), • Participation of the COP at the WASP Learning Event in Accra (June12-15), • Conduct regular project oversight in Burkina Faso and officially introduce the new Value chain Advisor to staff and partners (June 16-24) • On June 21, 2017, CoP and DCoP held a meeting with Shawn Wozniak USAID/Burkina Faso Agriculture Officer to discuss the activities implemented during the third quarter and to provide information on the organization of the seed conference and fertilizer. As part of the preparation of this conference, the CoP and the DCoP exchanged views with the Director General of Plant Production, including his collaborators, in order to agree on the practical organization of this conference and the scope to give him.

Visitors • Mr. Sergio Flores, CNFA conducted an internal audit of REGIS-AG in Niger (June 17-27) and Burkina Faso (June 28-July 7). • REGIS-AG Activity Manager Jennifer Karsner, REGIS ER Activity Manager Aboubacar Kossomi, FFP Development Assistance Specialist Mariama Diallo Aïtchédji, and Governance officer Abdourahamane Hassane visited the project activities in the Tillabéri region on June 14 and June 15. The visit focused on literacy, the cowpea value chain activities, the commercialization of chicken production and the advances made in market reforms with the commune mayors and market management committees.

4.4. Project Reporting and Public Communication During the reporting period, in terms of reporting and communication, the project accomplished the following: 95

• Drafted and submitted to USAID of two monthly reports for activities carried out during the quarter (April and May combined report and June). • Two new drafted Success stories are being finalized for submission to USAID for approval.

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Annex1: Working Group Results and Findings

a) Groupe 1: Producteurs / fournisseurs d’aliments bétail Key stakeholders in the production of livestock feed 1. SN CITEC located at Bobo-Dioulasso, Industrial Zone, 19, road 20,231; 2. SN SOSUCO located in Banfora; 3. CPAVI, whose factory is based in Bobo-Dioulasso; 4. SOFAB located in Koubri; 5. SITRAC located in the industrial zone of Kossodo Ouagadougou; 6. Crusher Unit KATO national territory.

Procurement Strategies for actors

Actors Sources Primary Materials Relationship Type

SN Citec SOFITEX and SOCOMA Cotton seed Convention

SN SOSUCO Auto Supply Sugar cane Auto supply

CPAVI SN Citec, SN SOSUCO, Minor, STAB, Cotton seed cakes, molasses, Procurement of FASOGRAIN, others wheat bran, shell, vitamins and public supply minerals

SOFAB SN Citec, SN SOSUCO, Minor, Producer Cotton seed cakes, molasses, Direct purchase Organizations, Farmers, Individual Producers, wheat bran, shell, vitamins and Traders minerals

SITRAC Traders, Producer Organizations, Individual Corn Restricted Call to Producers Offers

Unité Producer Organizations, Individual Producers Crop Residues, Forest Products Direct purchase Broyeur Non-Ligneux KATO

Potential Actions to be Taken

- Make livestock available in all 13 regions of Burkina Faso; - Develop regulations (pricing); - Support the actors to have the funding (NGO, STATE, MFI); - Improve the livestock system (MRAH PTF); - Improve communication (actors in the sector); - Make a stock of livestock food security by the State (SONAGESS store, Cereal Bank, Store, etc.); - Production of livestock and poultry feed from soybeans at SN Citec - Quality improvement - Monitoring and advising distributors on storage methods; - Sensitize all stakeholders in the chain on the traceability of the products marketed (type of products, brand, weight, labeling, date of production and expiry according to current regulations) 97

b) Groupe 2 : Cattle feed distribution

1. Identification des aliments bétail produits, vendus et achetés (en fonction de l’axe de réflexion), Acteurs, répartition géographique

Food Type Food Available Actors

Suppliers Geographical distribution

SPA - Corn stalk - - - Stem of millet - Sorghum Peanut Fane - Corn, Sorghum, Forage cowpea SPAI - Granulated cotton feed, - SOFAB - Koubri but - SN CITEC - Bobo Dioulasso - Bulk cotton seed cake - CPAVI - Bobo - Complete foods - CNPA - Ouaga - Lick Stones (multi - Belwet - Ouaga nutritional block) - BAGRE Pôle - Bagré - molasses - BRAKINA - Ouaga, Bobo - Sesame oil, soybean - SN SOSUCO - Banfora - Cereal bran - AGROPA (Est du pays) - Fada

- Mahogany cake - GMF (Minor SA) - Ouaga - Drèche - GMB (MINOFA) - Banfora - Les huileries (SOFIB,….) - National - Les sociétés cotonnières - Bobo, Ouaga, Fada - STAB - Bobo - GENOL, SIATOL - Ouaga - Faso Grain - Ouaga - CITRAC - Ouaga - Les unités d’étuvages et de - National décorticage - FAMAS - Bobo - AGRYP - Bobo - MONASTERE De KOUBRI - Koubri Other - Non-wood forest products - - (Piliostigma) - Natural fodder - Maize, Cowpea, Forage sorghum

c) Groupe 3 – Support structures, producer organizations, and mini-dairies

1. Subject : Distribution and procurement strategy

Distributors Procurement Practices

All supplier companies distribute;

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Wholesalers ; - Directly in livestock feed production units

Retailers ; - Directly in production units - Sourcing from wholesalers AGRODIA et COCIMA ; - Directly in production units - Sourcing from wholesalers MRA ; - Calls for tender for feedingstuffs

Producer organizations and cooperatives ; OP and cooperative

- Identification and centralization of the needs of FO members (Quantities, types of food) - Supply to distributors - Storage of food in stores (transhumance routes for cooperatives) - Provision to FOs. As far as cooperatives are concerned, there is a price- fixing campaign (cost of transport + handling + margin of the assembly for the costs of running the store and increasing the cost of transport)

Dairy (Milk Processing Union)

- Provision of working capital for dairies - Cash purchase by dairies from distributors - Provision of food by dairies to producers against part of their quantity of milk supplied NGO and State Projects - Purchase by tenders - Productive alliances

2. Identification of project/program actions

Projects/programs Actions

BRACED (Sahel resilience enhancement project through Support to producers' supply along transhumance corridors livestock mobility)

PROPILAB (ECOWAS food security project) Supplying Supply to Vulnerable Producers

PISTOREL / RECOPA (food security project financed by Strengthen the proximity of livestock feedstuffs to livestock farmers the African Union) Support to producers' supply of livestock feed

PARSAO (project to strengthen resilience in the Sahel Support to producers' supply along transhumance corridors through livestock mobility

REGIS AG Organization of actors

Connecting actors

Support for the structuring of actors

REGIS ER Support for Producer Supply

PROJET ViM Support for Producer Supply

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NEER-TAMBA Support for Producer Supply

Support to the identification of needs through capacity building

Connecting actors

PAMEFA vi

VALPAPE Connecting actors

PCESA Connecting actors

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d) Groupe 4 : Access to financial services Factors limiting access to funding for What can be done to support the structuring Define priority actions smallholders and distributors of actors in the supply and distribution of cattle feed?

- Lack of information on the - Focus on the promotion of financial - Make specific product existence of financial products (communicate more in the brochures and make available products in financial media, participate in different agro- to projects, NGOs, etc. To institutions; sylvo-pastoral fairs); disclose to the beneficiaries concerned; - Strengthen the capacities of the staff - Insufficient rural of financial institutions involved in - Advocacy with NGOs that development advice to the analysis and management of support rural development so financial institutions; agricultural credit files on rural that they can ensure the development issues; capacity building of the staff of - Poor management capacity financial institutions; (governance) of POs and - To strengthen the capacities of the inadequate professionalism POs in the notions of governance, - Train POs on associative life: of credit-seeking players; technical technique, financial State, NGOs, Projects; management; - Conditions of access to credit (interest rate, VAT, - Make the conditions for access to - Advocate with the State to guarantee) are limiting; credits flexible; authorize subsidies as a rural credit guarantee fund; - To make the group credit by taking - Mobility of producers makes as collateral the solidarity it difficult to monitor guarantee; - Supporting producers in appropriations; structuring their organization; - Structuring the sector - Sign purchase and sale - lack of control over revenue contracts; flows; - Direct subsidies to financial institutions that will be used as - Advocate with the State for the collateral funds to ease access use of grant funds in guarantee - Subsidies from the State conditions. funds: producers

101