FAO-GEF Project Implementation Review 2019 – Revised Template Period covered: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

1. Basic Project Data

General Information Region: Africa Country (ies): Project Title: Disposal of POPs and Obsolete Pesticides and Strengthening Life- Cycle Management of Pesticides in Benin FAO Project Symbol: GCP/BEN/056/GFF GEF ID: 4756 GEF Focal Area(s): Chemicals - POPs Project Executing Partners: Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Health Project Duration: 48 months Milestone Dates: GEF CEO Endorsement Date: 31/07/2014 Project Implementation Start 22/03/2015 Date/EOD : Proposed Project 21/03/2019 Implementation End Date/NTE1: Revised project implementation 21/03/2020 end date (if applicable) 2 Actual Implementation End Date3: Funding GEF Grant Amount (USD): 1,830,000 USD Total Co-financing amount as 10,580,625 USD included in GEF CEO Endorsement Request/ProDoc4: Total GEF grant disbursement as 961,089 USD of June 30, 2019 (USD m): Total estimated co-financing 2,728,031 USD materialized as of June 30, 20195

1 as per FPMIS 2 In case of a project extension. 3 Actual date at which project implementation ends/closes operationally -- only for projects that have ended. 4 This is the total amount of co-financing as included in the CEO document/Project Document. 5 Please see last section of this report where you are asked to provide updated co-financing estimates. Use the total from this Section and insert here.

Page 1 of 39

Review and Evaluation Date of Most Recent Project 06 June 2019 Steering Committee: Mid-term Review or Evaluation February 2018 Date planned (if applicable): Mid-term review/evaluation actual: Mid-term review or evaluation Yes due in coming fiscal year (July 2019 – June 2020). Terminal evaluation due in No coming fiscal year (July 2019 – June 2020). Terminal Evaluation Date Actual: Tracking tools/ Core indicators No required6 Ratings Overall rating of progress Moderately Satisfactory towards achieving objectives/ outcomes (cumulative): Overall implementation Moderately Satisfactory progress rating: Overall risk rating: Low Status Implementation Status 4th PIR (1st PIR, 2nd PIR, etc. Final PIR):

6 Please note that the Tracking Tools are required at mid-term and closure for all GEF-4 and GEF-5 projects. Tracking tools are not mandatory for Medium Sized projects = < 2M USD at mid-term, but only at project completion. The new GEF-7 results indicators (core and sub-indicators) will be applied to all projects and programs approved on or after July 1, 2018. Also projects and programs approved from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018 (GEF-6) must apply core indicators and sub-indicators at mid-term and/or completion

Page 2 of 39

Project Contacts Contact Name, Title, Division/Affiliation E-mail Project Manager / Jacqueline SAGBOHAN [email protected] Coordinator Elisabetta TAGLIATI [email protected] Lead Technical Officer

Mphumuzi SUKATI [email protected] Budget Holder GEF Funding Liaison Kuena MOREBOTSANE [email protected] Officer, Investment Centre Division

Page 3 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9 Objective(s): To eliminate existing obsolete pesticides, including POPs and associated wastes, and to strengthen the capacity for sound pesticide management in order to prevent future accumulation.

Outcome 1: 1a. Up to 200 tonnes 504 tonnes of 200 tonnes 200 tonnes  Inventory of obsolete pesticides including S Identified risks from of POPs and other obsolete pesticides POPs (total quantity of 1631 t.) available existing obsolete obsolete pesticides and 150 tonnes stocks eliminated disposed of in an associated wastes  Risk assessment and Environmental and risks from environmentally inventoried in 2012. Management Plan (EMP) available for 213 heavily pesticide- sound manner. 380 tonnes tonnes prioritised for safeguarding and contaminated sites endosulfan disposed disposal available reduced under GCP/BEN/055/JPN  Safeguarding and disposal of 213 tonnes by international company to commence in 2019 (Evaluation of tender undertaken under the project to be formally closed).

1b. At least 2 3 sites investigated Risk reduction 50% reduction  2 sites decontaminated: (179, 5 S contaminated sites and EA and EMP strategies for 2 in Kg of orthène 75 SP) and Bohicon (12,775 with reduced risk of produced. contaminated contamination kg of thioral): Conceptual site modelling exposure/ sites developed or exposure and Environmental Management Plans contamination level Baseline and approved, levels (EMPs) delivered and validated by Agence (50% reduction). contamination of and work Béninoise pour l’ Environnement (ABE) methyl-parathion at started. anddecontamination undertaken Oganla site according to EMP developed by

7 This is taken from the approved results framework of the project.Please add cells when required in order to use one cell for each indicator and one rating for each indicator. 8 Some indicators may not identify mid-term targets at the design stage (refer to approved results framework) therefore this column should only be filled when relevant. 9 Use GEF Secretariat required six-point scale system: Highly Satisfactory (HS), Satisfactory (S), Marginally Satisfactory (MS), Marginally Unsatisfactory (MU), Unsatisfactory (U), and Highly Unsatisfactory (HU).

Page 4 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9 GCP/BEN/055/JPN =  1 site (additional) is finalizing 0,074mg/kg (depth decontamination: Oganla (including Outcome 1: 10cm) to parathion methyl and DDT, DDD and DDE): Identified risks from 0,047mg/kg (120 cm) - characterization of site and EMP existing obsolete 1b. At least 2 delivered S stocks eliminated contaminated sites New site reported in - Bio-remediation with Vétiver sp et and risks from with reduced risk of 2013 to be Jatropha sp in progress heavily pesticide- exposure/ investigated contaminated sites contamination level  2 sites (additional) (including POPs) reduced (50% reduction). assessed with rapid environmental assessment and EMP in validation : Djassin and Djohounta

 National Laboratory of the Central Food Safety Laboratory (LCSSA) evaluated for analysis of pesticide soil contamination capacity

Outcome 2: Risks to 2a) Number of 3.9m containers 75,000 in PY3 150,000  Collection of 10,000 empty pesticide S the environment and empty containers imported over the containers started in 10 villages in Borgou human health from triple rinsed, last 5 years, 0.5m per and Alibori (cotton producing areas) and empty pesticide collected and stored year in cotton zone, strategy available for sound management containers used in awaiting recycling 8.8 tonnes in pilot area cotton production containers in areas reduced national inventory  LoA in place between FAO and the NGO Bethesda for the treatment and recycling of 10,000 containers

 Improvement of Bethesda structures to comply to international standards for treatment and recycling empty pesticide containers carried

Page 5 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9  Training of 20 trainers on risks of empty pesticide containers and risk reduction in the management of containers (through Farmer Field Schools)

 Training of 200 farmers undertaken with poster on container management produced and delivered to 13 FFS

 Draft national strategy available

Outcome 3: 3a) Revised national Legislation in Benin Review Draft legislation  Harmonisation of national legislation under S Regulatory legislation in does not yet support meetings for undergoing ECOWAS/ UEMOA/CILSS on pesticide framework and compliance with the regional CILSS- legislation approval management discussed at national institutional capacity international and ECOWAS-UEMOA process stakeholder workshop and with CILSS for the sound regional obligations harmonization which experts (linked with output 3.b.) management of adopted by PY4. it joined in 2012. pesticides  Draft decrees on the implementation of throughout their Community regulations on quality control lifecycle and management of agricultural inputs in strengthened the ECOWAS area discussed at FAO (linked with output 3.b.)

 Decree on the approval of pesticides in the Republic of Benin issued and signed by President of Benin (linked with output 3.b.)

3b) Management Mandate for NPMC NPMC  Decrees (2) revised by the project were S Committee (NPMC) pesticide control established effectiveness issued by the Council of Ministers and and a national transferred to ABSSA evaluated signed by the President of the Republic system for inspection but not yet Two entry 1. Decrees on the National Pesticide and quality control operational. The points equipped National system Management Committee (CNGP) of pesticides registration for inspection 2. Decree on the approval of pesticides operational by PY3. committee, CNAC, and quality in the Republic of Benin

Page 6 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9 does not have access control to official operational Draft decrees on the implementation of government budget Community regulations on quality control but financed by and management of agricultural inputs in registration fees. the ECOWAS area discussed at FAO Neither national workshop (linked with 3.a.) strategy nor sustainable funding  Validation workshop and awareness mechanism for campaign on new decrees of concerning pesticide control. harmonization under ECOWAS/ UEMOA/CILSS regulations concerning Outcome 3: quality control and pesticide management Regulatory organized by the Plant Protection Service/ framework and DPV/MAEP.(linked with 3.a.) institutional capacity for the sound  System (National Enhanced Pesticide management of Control System) for improving inspection pesticides Mandate for NPMC NPMC and quality control of pesticides all along S throughout their 3b) Management pesticide control established effectiveness their life cycle ( from their point of entry lifecycle Committee (NPMC) transferred to ABSSA evaluated through importation, transportation, strengthened and a national but not yet Two entry storage, distribution, sale and system for inspection operational. The points equipped National system use)delivered to be validated by and quality control registration for inspection stakeholders and CNGP members. of pesticides committee, CNAC, and quality operational by PY3. does not have access control  Training on the system planned for 40 to official operational phytosanitary inspectors on the inspection government budget and pesticide control manual for Benin but financed by registration fees.  Equipment of the two (02) points of entry Neither national for pesticides belonging to the SPV: Port strategy nor (fumigation center) and airport sustainable funding mechanism for pesticide control.

Page 7 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9 Outcome 4: 4a) Number of (i) No bio-pesticides Alternatives Farmers trained  25 trainers (total) were trained during two S IPM alternatives to farmers trained on are currently identified and seasons for producing vegetables, maize conventional IPM alternatives registered (law for field-tested and cotton with IPM through the pesticides through Farmer Field bio-pesticides is participatory method of Farmer Field successfully Schools (FFS) currently in process Schools promoted and the of adoption)  400 farmers were trained in IPM through use of chemical (ii) A total of 55 Farmer Field Schools pesticides, POPs and alternatives have - 200 farmers (in 7 villages) were highly hazardous been identified, 37 trained for two years in producing pesticides reduced short-term and 15 onions and tomatoes with IPM.

long-term - 200 farmers (in 10 villages) were alternatives. Among trained for two years in producing the 37 short-term, 9 cotton and maize with IPM were set are cultural methods up. already applied in  Curricula (4) for the implementation of vegetable FFS with Integrated Pest Management on production, 6 are onion, tomato, maize and cotton in Borgou Integrated Pest and Alibori. S Management (IPM)  Monitoring and evaluation framework for on cassava, maize, FFS was validated with national banana and stakeholder and operationalized (report vegetables; ongoing) (iii)Successful  Soil characterization and implications for experiences to grow soil fertility and soil management were cotton without carried through the laboratory Sciences chemical use under Soil Water and Environment (LSSEE/INRAB) OPEBAB project for cotton-maize FFS

 Data generated on pest problems, use of pesticides and alternatives (553 producers, including 460 men and 93 women, involving 20 villages in the Borgou/Alibori departments).

Page 8 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9  National list of alternatives to POPs and conventional pesticides delivered under leadership of IITA-Benin for main crops in Benin and validated with national stakeholder: These include (i) botanical pesticides in vegetable crops, cowpea and organic cotton; (ii) parasitoids used in the control of multi-crop pests; (iii) biopesticides based on fungi, viruses or bacteria on cotton, maize, soya and vegetable crops; (iv) agricultural practices used to break the life cycle of a number of pests of cereal crops and cotton or weeds

 Strategy for field testing, certification and promotion of selected alternatives with Farmers Field School (FFS).

 Development of brochure on promotion of biopesticides in Benin Outcome 4: 4b) % Reduction in specific targets  Acitvities in 4.a S IPM alternatives to pesticide use on to be conventional cotton and other determined in  trials for alternative efficacy carried pesticides crops among trained PY1-2 by IITA successfully farmers Laboratory tests : promoted and the - production of spores of Beauveria bassiana use of chemical isolates, pesticides, POPs and - collection of cabbage aphid (Lipaphiserysimi) highly hazardous and breeding, pesticides reduced - the production of B. bassiana isolates - conditioning these isolates on the pest.

Field experimentation:

Page 9 of 39

1. Progress towards achieving project objectives and outcomes (cumulative)

Project objective Description of Mid-term End-of-project Progress Baseline level Level at 30 June 2019 and Outcomes indicator(s)7 target8 target rating 9 - production of Met 31 bio-insecticide and HaNPV nuclear polyhedrosis virus, - cotton trial at (Kandi, ), (iv) - participation in facilitator training on cotton in Kandi,

Signature and implementation of activities of the second phase of the LoA between FAO and IITA for the conduct of efficacy trials of identified alternatives, in particular for fungi virus or bacteria-based alternatives on market gardening All required M&E 0 7 14 6 Project Progress Report S Outcome 5: reports and (4 PPR, 2 PIR, (8 PPR, 4 PIR, 4 Project Implementation Review (including Project monitored evaluations MTR) MTR and final this one) and evaluated conducted evaluation) 8 Project Management Unit meetings effectively and best 4 Project Steering Committee meetings practices 1 Mid-term evaluation report of the project disseminated. 1 project factsheet developed 5 radio spots delivered

Page 10 of 39

Action plan to address MS, MU, U and HU rating 10

Outcome Action(s) to be taken By whom? By when?

10 To be completed by Budget Holder and the Lead Technical Officer

Page 11 of 39

2. Progress in Generating Project Outputs

Comments. Achievements at each PIR13 Describe any Expected Implement. variance14 or Outputs11 completion status any challenge in date 12 5th (cumulative) 1st PIR 2nd PIR 3rd PIR 4th PIR delivering PIR outputs Component 1 - Safe disposal of POPs and other obsolete pesticides and remediation of heavily contaminated sites Output 1.1 Up to Mar 2020 20% 40% 60% 70% 60% The work for 200 tonnes of - Update of the - The complementary - Development of the - Launch of the call for tender the preparation POPs pesticides national inventory of obsolete Environmental with a closing date of 31 January of the tender is and other inventory POPs and pesticides Management Plan (EMP) 2019 for the recruitment of an ready and this is obsolete completed revealed a total of for safeguarding and international specialist firm for also depending pesticides safely - 1,250 tonnes 1,251,274 kg of disposal obsolete the safeguarding and disposal of from the destroyed in line inventoried in obsolete POPs and pesticides 200 tonnes of POPs and obsolete Procurement with the Basel Feb. 2016 pesticides including - Submission and validation pesticides : The tender is being offices and Convention the existing stock of of the EMP by ABE evaluated some obsolete pesticides in - Finalization of the bidding administrative the PSMS database. documents for timing. - Update of the PSMS safeguarding and disposal - Picking and safeguarding database for the POPs and obsolete operations of 354 kg of POPs and prioritization of the pesticides obsolete pesticides instead of 200 tonnes of obsolete 259.9 kg of obsolete pesticides pesticides to be originally planned for the picking secured and mission eliminated by the project.

11 Outputs as described in the project logframe or in any updated project revision. In case of project revision resulted from a mid-term review please modify the output

accordingly or leave the cells in blank and add the new outputs in the table explaining the variance in the comments section. 12 As per latest work plan (latest project revision); for example: Quarter 1, Year 3 (Q1 y3) 13 Please use the same unity of measures of the project indicators, as much as possible. Please be extremely synthetic (max one or two short sentence with main achievements) 14 Variance refers to the difference between the expected and actual progress at the time of reporting.

Page 12 of 39

- Eleven (11) priority - Evaluation of the tender stores containing underway obsolete POPs and pesticides with high health and environmental risk factors selected Output 1.2 Risks Jul 2018 10% 50% 60% 100% 100% from 2 highly Risk quantified - Signature by Alterra - Development of Specific - Validation of the Specific contaminated at priority University of Environmental Environmental Management Plan sites quantified, sites. Wageningen of the Management Plans (EMPs) (PGEs) of the contaminated site remediation ToR for Rapid Memorandum of of the polluted sites of of Djassin strategies Environmental Understanding Djassin, Malanville and developed and Assessment for between FAO and Bohicon (ex CARDER Zou) implemented a site at Alterra for sanitation/ - Submission and validation Assantoun, reduction of the risks by ABE of the EMPs of the with a "hot of polluted sites in polluted sites of Malanville zone" Benin and Bohicon estimated at - Mission to investigate - Update of the Djassin 900m2 the rapid EMPs according to the environmental recommendations of the assessment of the national team resulting heavily contaminated from the extraordinary Djohounta site (ex meeting of the PMU and Assantoun, Zou also to the new department, Bohicon observations made by the commune) (Mission technical team and the Alterra in Benin August international consultant 3 to 10, 2016) specialized in - Mission to realize the decontamination of conceptual models of polluted sites the contaminated sites - Submission of the Djassin of Malanville, Djassin PGE to ABE for final and Bohicon to better validation refine the technical options of risk reduction of these sites.

Page 13 of 39

Mar 2020 40% (one site 80% 150% 100% 150% decontaminate Follow-up and - Realization of the - Follow-up by maintenance and d)- Reduction maintenance of the decontamination watering of detoxification plants in landfarm installed by operations of the polluted (Vetiver and Jatropha) landfarm contamination the installation of the sites of Malanville and decontaminated sites of Oganla, Output 1.2 Risks level detoxification plants Bohicon Malanville and Bohicon from 2 highly ToR (national (Vetiver sp and - Follow-up of the contaminated consultant) for Jatropha sp) of the maintenance of the - Realization of the monitoring sites quantified, decontaminati decontaminated site of detoxification plants and evaluation mission and remediation on of site at Oganla: Cut after eight (Vetiver and Jatropha) of maintenance of the strategies Oganla. Bio- (08) months of plant the landfarm of the decontaminated sites of developed and remediation growth of Vetiver sp decontaminated site of Malanville and Bohicon through implemented commenced in for homogenization Oganla: realization of the the filling of monitoring sheets 2015. and replacement of 3rd and 4th cut of Vetiver (general condition of the one hundred and and Jatropha plants for the landfarm, rainfall and twenty Eight (128) reinforcement of the temperature survey, plant and plants out of five landfarm in organic matter animal biodiversity, new hundred and fifty (550) in order to accelerate measures taken) and the taking plants planted during biodegradation of POP of soil samples at 20 cm depth for the remediation of the contaminants laboratory analysis to assess the site. - Evaluation of the decrease in the level of pesticide decontaminated site of residues in the soil Oganla: the results of the analyzes showed a total - The results of the orthène soil biodegradation samples taken during the (disappearance) of decontamination operations at Parathion-methyl by the Malanville site confirmed the landfarm. On the other absence of the acephate hand, these analyzes molecule. Therefore the detected the presence of international consultant DDT (0.123g/kg), DDD recommended to stop the (0.015g/kg) and DDE (4.448 maintenance and the follow-up mg/kg) which are POPs. To of the landfarm this end, it has been recommended by the international consultant on decontamination of polluted sites to continue

Page 14 of 39

the monitoring and maintenance of the landfarm in order to allow the biodegradation of the POP molecules found at ground level. Component 2 - Development and implementation of empty pesticides containers management system Output 2.1 Sept 16 5% 10% 80% 100% 100% Design and Oct 18 for National - draft national - Mission of the - Validation by the International validation of a national Project strategy for the international consultant Consultant in empty pesticide management strategy Coordination management of empty specialized in empty packaging management of the scheme for empty (NPC) and packaging of pesticides pesticide packaging empty pesticide packaging pesticide national (Report of management in Benin from management plan in the containers consultant Development of a March 13 to 24, 2017, departments of Borgou and completed trained in Lyon strategy for which aims to carry out a Alibori (12-16 Oct management of empty study on the 2015) to packaging of pesticides implementation of a pilot - Validation by the International develop the in Benin of the national plan for the management Consultant of the strategy of strategy. consultant in of empty pesticide treatment and recycling of empty Strategy for management of packaging in the pesticide packaging by the NGO empty pesticide packaging departments of the Bethesda container (December 2015). country. Borgou and Alibori management - Approximately - Sensitization of project drafted Dec 200,235 empty stakeholders involved in 2015. pesticide containers in the rational management state and private of empty pesticide structures, including packaging. the 30,000 empty - Sensitization of cotton containers inventoried producers through the CEP in state structures in on triple rinsing technique, 2012, are to be drilling to make them secured for unusable and collection of processing/ recycling. empty pesticide packaging. - At the end of the mission, a work plan for 2018 and 2019 for the implementation of the pilot plan for the

Page 15 of 39

management of empty pesticide packaging in the departments of Borgou and Alibori was prepared by the international consultant Output 2.2 The Oct 18 – 5% 10% 50% 100% 70% empty pesticide farmer Workshop to awareness-raising of - Preparation of LoA - Training and sensitization of the container training develop producers on the between FAO and the 2018 FFS cotton-maize facilitators management Apr 19 - training rational management Social Engineering and on the technique of triple rinsing scheme piloted in Scheme up curriculum for of empty packaging of Environment Company and management of empty Alibori and and running Farmer Field pesticides at the level (CISE)/NGO Bethesda for pesticide packaging Borgou Dec 19 - Schools of the FFS crops the treatment and Departments evaluation planned for vegetable and cotton recycling of empty - Production of a poster on empty August 2016 by the master trainers pesticide packaging in the pesticide packaging to raise during the Facilitator departments of Borgou awareness among producers on Training (as part of and Alibori the management of empty Component 4). - Development and pesticide packaging at the level of validation of the LoA the thirteen (13) FFS installed in technical annex by the 2018 in the departments of project technical team Borgou and Alibori - Ongoing finalization of LoA between FAO and - Training and sensitization of CEP CISE/NGO Bethesda producers on the dangers related to the use of chemical pesticides and the management of empty pesticide packaging (triple rinsing)

- Training and sensitization of producers of different categories of farm typology on triple rinsing and management of empty pesticide packaging

- Identification of collection and regrouping points by village and department of empty pesticide

Page 16 of 39

packaging - Signing and execution of LoA activities between FAO and the Bethesda NGO for the treatment /recycling of empty pesticide packaging in the Borgou and Alibori departments: Start up and continuation of the redevelopment work and upgrading to health standards/ safety/environment of processing and recycling center for empty pesticide packaging

- Visit to the Bethesda NGO treatment and recycling center to assess the implementation of the upgrading work of the treatment center Component 3 - Strengthening the regulatory framework and institutional capacity for the sound management of pesticides

Output 3.1 5% 25% 80% 100% 100% National National Workshop on the - Revision workshop (29 to - Order in Council of Ministers legislation and workshop (10- Validation of Draft 31 August 2017) draft and signature by the President of regulations for 11 Sept 2015) Legislation and Decree decrees on the the Republic of: registration and with on Biopesticides in the implementation of (i) Decree No. 2018-171 of May control of participation of Republic of Benin Community regulations on 16, 2018 establishing, pesticides revised 2 CILSS experts organized by the Plant quality control and attributing, organizing and in line with Validation of Protection Service management of operating the National international biopesticides (SPV) in the framework agricultural inputs in the Pesticide Management obligations and decree Jan 16. of strengthening the ECOWAS area organized by Committee (CNGP) and the regional regulatory framework the Plant Protection (ii) Decree No. 2018-172 of 16 CILSS-ECOWAS- and institutional Service / DPV with the May 2018 laying down the UEMOA common capacities for the participation of the procedures for the application system and rational management national consultant of Community regulations on submitted to of pesticides and the specializing in legislation the approval of pesticides in Government for registration of - Workshop on the the Republic of Benin approval. validation of draft decrees

Page 17 of 39

biopesticides (20 and laying down the terms of - Campaign of internalisation and 21 January 2016). application in Benin of the sensitization on the decrees of The mission of the ECOWAS Regulations on application of the ECOWAS/ international legal the harmonization of the UEMOA/CILSS regulations consultant in Benin (27 rules governing the quality relative to the quality control and to 31 March 2017) control of agricultural the management of pesticides made it possible on the inputs organized by the organized by the Service of Plant one hand to inquire Plant Protection Service / Protection/DPV/MAEP about the concerns of DPV with the participation stakeholders and of the Coordinator of the - Designation of the members of stakeholders involved project. the CNGP by the national in the management of - Decree by the President structures involved in pesticide pesticides and on the of the Republic of decrees management other hand to identify on the CNGP and on the the different texts that approval of pesticides in - Development of operational govern the the Republic of Benin. application orders and institutional, legislative management of the CNGP and regulatory framework in the field of pesticide management. It also analyzed the regional regulation C/ REG.3/05/2008 harmonizing the rules governing pesticides in ECOWAS and noted potential difficulties in relation to these different texts that do not take into account the management of the cycle of pesticides especially the management aspect of empty packaging of pesticides. During this mission, the

Page 18 of 39

international consultant sensitized stakeholders on the complexity of integration between regional provisions and the national institutional and legal framework for pesticides. Output 3.2 A Sept 16 - 5% 25% - 100% 100% national strategy, Strategy National Information and - Validation by the international workplan and (consultant workshop (10- awareness-raising consultant and the technical budget for report) 11 Sept 2015) workshop (10 March team of the project of the report inspection and Jul 17 – with 2016) organized by the of the national consultant on the quality control of resources participation of Plant Protection post-homologation management pesticides allocated 2 CILSS Service (SPV) of the of pesticides in Benin: Evaluation developed, and a for NPMC experts, agreed Department of Plant of the capacity of control and National to develop an Production (DPV) of inspection Pesticide Interministerial the Ministry of Management Decree to Agriculture, Livestock - Validation by the technical team Committee establish a and Fisheries (MAEP) of the project of the report of the established NPMC of Benin on the international consultant: establishment and Post-approval management of Awareness functioning of NPMCs pesticides in Benin: Gaps and raising in all member states of Strategies for Consolidating workshop on the regional CILSS- Inspection and Compliance NPMC (10 ECOWAS-UEMOA Promotion Activities March 2016), region 35 participants -Proposition de Plan (6 women) d’actions d’inspection des pesticides Output 3.3 May 19 - 5% 10% 40% 80% 70% National capacity Equipment ToR approved Procurement - Mission of the national - Consultation with the structures for pesticide Jun 19 - by LTO for procedures for the consultant, specialist in involved in the inspection and inspections and Inspector national & recruitment of the inspection and control of control of pesticides belonging to post-registration training international national pesticide pesticides, which aims at the SPV: Port (fumigation center) control increased consultants for management the evaluation of the and airport for the expression of

Page 19 of 39

inspection & consultant: inspection capacity and the activities equipment needs. information and exchange of of inspection and quality exchange for information control of pesticides all - Visit of the Central Food Safety pesticide along their life cycle in Control Laboratory (LCSSA) to management Benin from their point of study and assess the different view entry through sampling equipment and importation, equipment transportation, storage, distribution, sale and use. - Preparation of two (02) lists of - Report on Pesticide pesticide inspection and control Management: Inspection equipment and equipment to be and Information Exchange, made available to the two (02) Assessment of Pesticide points of entry of the SPV Inspection and Control pesticides to support the control Capacity and Activities and inspection actions to make Throughout their life cycle them available. operational in Benin - Finalization of the procurement at FAO-Benin level and acquisition of a (01) batch of materials and equipment for the benefit of the two (02) points of entry for pesticides

- Development and validation of TOR for the national system of validation workshop improved pesticide control and awareness CNGP members and key industry players and training of phytosanitary inspectors on the inspection manual and pesticide Output 3.3 May 19 - control Benign National capacity Equipment for pesticide July 19 - - Development and validation of inspections and Inspector the plan and training modules for post-registration training phytosanitary inspectors control increased

Page 20 of 39

- Preparation in progress of the training: Development and signature by DPV of letters of invitation, distribution of letters of invitation, printing of the manual of the phytosanitary inspector Component 4 – Promotion of alternatives to POPs and other hazardous chemical pesticides Output 4.1 Feb 16 - 10% 100% - - 100% Potential Data base Letter of Organization of a alternatives to available Agreement workshop at IITA (30- endosulfan, POPs Jul 16 – with IITA to 31 August to 1 and other alternatives identify and September 2016) of obsolete identified test alternative the stakeholders to pesticides products to agree on the identified identified and an pesticides has potential alternatives action plan for been and to develop the field testing, developed. strategy for field registration and testing, homologation promotion agreed IITA is carrying and Promotion of out a stock- alternatives to the FFS taking of alternative methods (bioproducts and practices) to chemical control for cotton, rice and vegetables.

Focus group discussions in 18 villages with farmers from the typology

Page 21 of 39

are underway to analyse pesticide use on vegetables and rice farming systems, main crop production and protection issues and to identify potential alternatives.

A workshop to finalise FFS plan and IITA testing is planned for August 2016. Output 4.2 Oct 16 – 10% 40% 80% 100% 100% Identified field tests National Elaboration by IITA of - IITA conducts tests on - Signature and implementation alternatives to of consultant the protocols and test potential alternatives to of activities of the second phase endosulfan, POPs alternatives from plan on validated endosulfan, POPs and of the LoA between FAO and IITA and other Jul 17 – PAPA/INRAB to cotton alternatives by other obsolete pesticides for the conduct of efficacy trials hazardous registration supervise field the national through laboratory and of the identified alternatives, in pesticides tested of data collection stakeholder workshop field experiments particular for alternatives based for their technical alternatives (typology) has - Report of tests on on fungi, viruses or bacteria on and economic Jun 18 – been recruited. Conducted by IITA in alternatives validated by tomatoes: feasibility at farm Value chain the field of tests on the workshop on potential  Establishment of the tomato level analysis potential alternatives alternatives to POPs and nursery to endosulfan, POPs other chemical pesticides  Transplanting tomato plants and other obsolete of dangerous syntheses  Organic manure: One week pesticides after transplanting Output 4.2  First observations and first Identified Production of spores of application of products alternatives to Beauveria bassiana

Page 22 of 39

endosulfan, POPs (entomopathogenic  Weekly application of tomato and other fungus), prospecting products (Metarhizium hazardous for aphid collection anisopliae Met 31 and the pesticides tested and tests for herding nuclear polyhedrosis virus for their technical isolate (Helicoverpa armigera and economic Nelcear Polyhedrosis Virus) feasibility at farm (HaNPV). level - Continuation and finalization of the effectiveness tests of the alternatives in real environment (Malanville, department of Alibori) for the control of Helicoverpa armigera of tomato in LoA FAO IITA framework

- Analysis of the test results: The experiment made it possible to assess and confirm the efficacy of the bioinsecticides Metarhizium, Met 31 and the HaNPV virus used on larvae of Helicoverpa armigera, a pest of tomato, cotton and many other species. other cultures. Output 4.3 Viable Feb 17 – 10% 50% 70% 100% 90% alternatives to training National Four (04) FFS training - Conduct of 4 facilitator - Carried out training on the endosulfan, POPs agents consultant to sessions for trainers training sessions (FDF) on recycling of thirteen (13) FFS and other Sept 17 & develop an FFS (Facilitators) took cotton-maize FFS cotton-maize facilitators obsolete Apr 18 – implementatio place from September respectively from June 27 pesticides farmer n plan has 2016 to February 2017 to July 3, August 24 to 29, - Baseline survey in the seven (7) promoted training been recruited. in Malanville on the November 04 to 14 and new 2018 cotton-maize FFS + Mar 18 – promotion of December 13 to 24, 2017 four (4) control villages in the communcia Alternatives to - Supervision mission of the Borgou and Alibori departments tion hazardous chemical 1st session of FDF by the strategy pesticides on vegetable international consultant in - Monitoring, installation and crops (tomato and FFS of the technical team operation of thirteen (13) cotton- onion) AGPM maize FFS 2018 in the

Page 23 of 39

- Training on the recycling departments of Borgou and Promotion of of facilitators of FFS Alibori including: alternatives with the vegetable crops (CUMAR)  Five (05) 2nd year CEP (BPA, use of aqueous neem 2016, installation FFS Special Studies) in Piami, extracts to protect CUMAR 2017 and Gbessassi Bouka, Padé, Wara tomato plants against monitoring of FFS cotton- and Ina; insect pests at the CEP maize  Eight (08) 1st year CEP (BPA level - Two (02) follow-up and PP) in Angaradébou, missions for FFS market Pédè, Bensékou, Kambara, Data collection mission garden crops respectively , Godou, Soumarou at the start and end of from 05 to 13 February and and South Guessou. the cycle as part of the from 11 to 17 March 2018 assessment of the FFS in the communes of - Monitoring of cotton-maize CEP vegetable crops (Sept Malanville and Karimama activities by FAO-Benin 2016 and April 2017) - Final report of training sessions for cotton-maize - Supervision of the monitoring Implementation of the FFS facilitators and final evaluation activities of 1st FFS TOT training - Conduct of a study on the the 2018 cotton-maize CEP session of the commercialization of activities facilitators in June alternatives to 2017 on the promotion conventional chemical - Organization of a workshop on of alternatives to pesticides in Benin the evaluation of CEP activities hazardous chemical - Monitoring and and presentation of certificates pesticides on cotton evaluation of FFS: Mission to CEP facilitators for maize and and maize in the of the international and market gardening departments of Borgou national consultants and Alibori specialized in typology and - Collection of end-of-cycle data monitoring-evaluation of in cotton-maize CEPs and the FFS on the typology evaluation of CEP actions: and the basic survey for completion of quantitative and the evaluation of the qualitative surveys at the end of actions of cotton-maize the cotton and maize crop FFS, training of the production cycle in the facilitators on the departments of Borgou and characterization of soil and Alibori to measure the effect of soil sample collection for CEP laboratory analysis Soil Science Water and - Ongoing preparation of the final

Page 24 of 39

Environment (LSSEE / report of the cotton-maize CEP INRAB) activities in close collaboration - Report on "Effect of FFS in with all the consultants involved integrated management of in Component 4 crop production and pests: Tomato and onion case in - Development of a matrix of the municipalities of project communication Karimama and Malanville interventions for the - Validation of ToRs by the management of empty pesticide project technical team for packaging and the promotion of the recruitment of national biopesticides consultants specialized in FFS and monitoring and evaluation of FFS Component 5 – M&E

Output 5.1: Inception 2nd meeting of the - Extraordinary meeting of - 6th meeting of the PMU: 09 80% Project meeting: 14-15 PMU: 22 July 2016 the PMU: December 01, October 2018 monitoring July 2015; 3rd meeting of the 2017 - 7th meeting of the PMU: 06 system providing PMU first PMU: 17 November - 5th meeting of the PMU: March 2019 six-monthly meetings: 25 2016 January 31, 2018 - 4th session of the Steering reports on Nov 2015; 4th meeting of the - 3rd session of the Steering Committee of the Project on June progress in Project PMU: 22 June 2017 Committee of the Project: 06, 2019 achieving project planning 2nd session of the 06 March 2018 - 2018 Assessment Workshop and outputs and meeting: 28- Steering Committee of - FAO Country Office 2018 2019 Activity Planning of FAO- outcomes. 29 Jan 2016; the project: 05 January Activity Planning Benin SC meeting: 29 2017 Workshop: 1-2 February - Two (02) quarterly meetings of Décembre Four (4) FAO-Benin 2018 FAO-Benin to present the 2015 (24 quarterly meetings on - Two (02) quarterly activities carried out by the participants, 4 the implementation of meetings of FAO-Benin to projects women) projects present the activities carried out by the projects Output 5.2: Mid- - - - Mid-term evaluation of - 50% term and final the project, from 19 to 28 evaluation reports February 2018

Page 25 of 39

Output 5.3: Inception Publication in the Completion of a poster on - Publication of an article on the 70% Project “best- Workshop – newspaper "The empty pesticide packaging decontamination of the polluted practices” and coverage Nation" of calls for site of Bohicon and the cotton- “lessons-learned” Media candidates for the maize CEPs in the quarterly disseminated via promotion of recruitment of national newsletter of the FAO publications and inventory: project consultants Representation in Benin/July- other means to articles in Le Training of facilitators September 2018 be identified in Matinal, La and associated FFS the Fraternité et Le vegetable crops: - Kandi and (Alibori communication Quotidien publication of an Department) broadcast radio strategy. (16/9/15) article in the messages about triple rinsing and newspaper "The empty pesticide packaging Nation" and on the management FAO online site, interview of the - draft of project factsheet Project Coordinator in - poster on management of the newspaper "La empty pesticide containers for nouvelle Tribune" farmers

Page 26 of 39

Information on Progress, Outcomes and Challenges on project implementation.

Please briefly summarize main progress achieving the outcomes (cumulative) and outputs (during this fiscal year): Max 200 words: C1: All documentation for the recruitment of an international company for the disposal of 213 tonnes of POPs and obsolete pesticides has been finalised, making it possible to start operations within 2019. Decontamination of 2 sites has been confirmed. C2: 200 farmers have been trained and started to collect 10,000 empty pesticide packaging to be treated and recycled by an NGO.The NGO has also upgraded its facilities to comply with international standards for treatment and recylcling. C3: Two (2) key Decrees for improving pesticide management in Benin have been approved by the Council of Ministers and signed by the President of the Republic including (i) No. 2018-171 establishing, attributing, organizing and operating the National Pesticide Management Committee (CNGP) and (ii) No. 2018-172 for the application of Community regulations on the approval of pesticides in Benin. Additionally a system to improve inspection and quality control as per ECOWAS/ UEMOA/CILSS regulations has been validated and a manual has been prepared for training phytosanitary inspectors. C4: Further to training about 400 farmers in FFS completed in 2018, the IITA has finalised efficacy testing of biopesticides on tomato pests paving the way for registration and commercialisation in Benin, and started a second phase of testing for fungi, virus or bacteria based alternatives for market gardening . Cross cutting : A communication strategy, a project factsheet and 5 radio spots on risks of pesticides and risk reduction measures have been produced.

What are the major challenges the project has experienced during this reporting period? Max 200 words: - The recruitment of the international company for safeguarding and disposal has been challenging because of the many information missing and needed to be asked further to the bidders as well as administrative procedures for evaluation In accordance with the roadmap developed on the recommendation of the members of the PMU, the recruitment of the company is planned for the end of June 2019. The selection of the company has been considerably delayed. The evaluation of the bidding documents is being finalized at the FAO-Rome level for the selection of an international company. - Evaluation of the technical options for decontamination of Djassin were lenghty as they The decontamination of the heavily contaminated site of Djassin (Porto-Novo) is conditioned by the recruitment of the international company. The company will have the task of removing 15 tons of dieldrin and aldrin mud and related waste contained in the kegs before remediation of the site by the national site decontamination team. - Equipments of two (02) points of entry for inspection and quality control of pesticides: Procurement was done at FAO-Benin level and resulted in the acquisition of a (01) lot of equipment and materials. The project requested administrative support from the project's technical team to expedite procurement procedures for the acquisition of the second batch of equipment at the international level.

Page 27 of 39

Development Objective Ratings, Implementation Progress Ratings and Overall Assessment

FY2019 FY2019 Implementation Comments/reasons justifying the ratings for FY2019 and any changes Development Progress (positive or negative) in the ratings since the previous reporting period Objective rating15 rating16 Project Manager / Satisfactory Satisfactory The activities of components 1, 2, 3 and 4 are proceeding normally. Coordinator Satisfactory Satisfactory Project on track Budget Holder

Lead Technical Satisfactory Satisfactory There has been progress in implementation towards meeting the expected Officer17 objectives. Moderately Moderately Delivery of some key results is lagging behind – disposal and container GEF Funding Liaison Satisfactory Satisfactory management results. With less than 10 months remaining, urgent efforts are Officer needed to complete all activities within this period.

15 Development/Global Environment Objectives Rating – Assess how well the project is meeting its development objective/s or the global environment objective/s it set out to meet. Ratings can be

Highly Satisfactory (HS), Satisfactory (S), Moderately Satisfactory (MS), Moderately Unsatisfactory (MU), Unsatisfactory (U) or Highly Unsatisfactory (HU). For more information on ratings, definitions please refer to Annex 1.

16 Implementation Progress Rating – Assess the progress of project implementation. For more information on ratings definitions please refer to Annex 1.

17 The LTO will consult the HQ technical officer and all other supporting technical Units.

Page 28 of 39

3. Risks

Environmental and Social Safeguards (Under the responsibility of the LTO)

Overall Project Risk classification Please indicate if the Environmental and Social Risk classification is still valid18. (at project submission) If not, what is the new classification and explain. Level B Still valid.

Please make sure that the below risk table include also Environmental and Social Management Risks captured by the Environmental and social Management Risk Mitigations plans.

Risk ratings RISK TABLE The following table summarizes risks identified in the Project Document and reflects also any new risks identified in the course of project implementation. The Notes column should be used to provide additional details concerning manifestation of the risk in your specific project, as relevant.

Risk Risk Mitigation Action Progress on mitigation Notes from the Project Task rating19 actions20 Force General project risks 1 Insufficient funds dedicated to the Low Budget available for more than safeguarding of high-priority sites, 200 tonnes of obsolete pesticides and the disposal of POPs. and 2 sites remediated Budget available and funded by GEF and co-funded by CropLife

18 Important: please note that if the Environmental and Social Risk classification is changing, the ESM Unit should be contacted and an updated Social and Environmental

Management Plan addressing new risks should be prepared. 19 GEF Risk ratings: Low, Medium, Substantial or High 20 If a risk mitigation plan had been presented as part of the Environmental and Social management Plan or in previous PIR please report here on progress or results of its implementation. For moderate and high risk projects, please Include a description of the ESMP monitoring activities undertaken in the relevant period”.

Page 29 of 39

2 Institutional arrangements pose Low Project focal points have been challenges to project execution. designated at the level of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. These focal points are members of the Project Management Unit and participate in the realization of project activities. All ministries (Health, Agriculture and Environment) have coordinated well during project implementation 3 Likelihood of political instability Low No political instability was observed during the implementation of the project 4 Extreme weather conditions such as Low to Areas where stores containing torrential rain and floods medium obsolete pesticides and contaminated soil are located are not flood-prone areas Component 1: Safe disposal of POPs and other obsolete pesticides and remediation of heavily contaminated sites 5 Environmental contamination from High Management measures to be Mitigation measure The security measures are leakage of POPs and other obsolete included in the EMP include implemented provided for in the EMP and the pesticides due to poor conditions of field procedures to ensure no national security team will ensure containers further leakage occurs during strict compliance by the the project activities. Chemical international company stores will be ranked according to leakage risk at the beginning of the project, and will be safe-guarded as a matter of priority. 6 Continued government centralised High As part of component 3, The Governement has procurement of pesticides through government stakeholders will in place measures Any parastatal companies will give rise be engaged to develop import of pesticides is to re-accumulation of obsolete pesticide policies that are subject to a prior stocks more responsive to user import authorization demands and avoid large-scale and takes into account procurements the remaining stock of pesticides . In

Page 30 of 39

addition, the control of pesticides for the cotton season takes into account the residual stock of pesticides of the previous season 7 Lack of appropriate storage for Medium Relevant stores identified in EMP safeguarded stocks for centralisation of stocks Following the liquidation of SONAPRA, the project could not benefit from the SONAPRA department store as an intermediate/final storage center (CSI/F) for secure pesticide stocks because this store currently contains inputs. Nevertheless, the SONAPRA Court has been selected as the CSI/F platform for secure obsolete pesticide stocks 8 Incidents during safeguarding High All staff /enterprise of the Personal protective Safety measures for each project engaged in equipment obsolete pesticide safety safeguarding operations will specification available. operation are provided for in the have been trained and will be Health and safety EMP and the Health and Safety provided with protection gear plans in EMP available Environment Plan. The national by the international for minimising security team will ensure strict contractor. Strict application incidents and worker compliance with these measures of measures included in exposure by the international company Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Health and Safety Plans. 9 Delays in the procurement of Low The acquisition of equipment is equipment necessary for the subject to the recruitment of the disposal international company by FAO- Rome and the length of the procurement procedures

Page 31 of 39

10 Government authorities disagree Medium The Specific Environmental with the strategy for the reduction Management Plans (EMP) of the of risks posed by contaminated sites contaminated sites were cleared by the Benin Environmental Agency (ABE) before the implementation of site remediation operations. 11 Delays in administrative Medium The preparation of notification procedures/decisions as regards documents for transit countries transport of obsolete stocks and the processing of these documents in accordance with the procedures in force at the national level lasts 2 to 3 months Component 2: Development and implementation of empty pesticides containers management system 12 Technical staff being exposed to Low to Training on triple rinsing pesticides during collection and medium undertaken and treatment of repacking of empty containers containers by Bethesda (NGO) planned to minimise exposure Training and awareness sessions on triple rinsing and rational management of empty pesticide packaging to facilitators of FFS, producers and agricultural communities. 13 Lack of stakeholder involvement in Low In addition to the FFS producers proper disposal of empty containers from the villages of the Borgou and in the establishment of a and Alibori departments, the sustainable system for the project involved producers and management of wastes. actors of the national pesticide supply system for the implementation of the pilot plan for the management of empty pesticide packaging. Component 3: Strengthening the regulatory framework and institutional capacity for the sound management of pesticides 14 Delayed adoption of updated Medium Decrees have been issued by the legislation. Law making (including President of the Republic for promulgation of regulations ) is a better pesticide management

Page 32 of 39

prerogative of the State and will depend on the will of the legislature or law-making authority to enact legislation Component 4: Promotion of alternatives to POPs and other hazardous chemical pesticides 15 Low interest in adopting alternative Low The final evaluation of the FFS technologies by producers revealed that most of the CEP producers have tested alternatives included in the IPM package for the relevant crop for two seasons 16 Climate Change Medium Changes in the climate will impact on pest distribution, activity, seasonal appearance, as well as impact on the behaviour of chemicals in the environment.

Project overall risk rating (Low, Medium, Substantial or High): FY2018 FY2019 Comments/reason for the rating for FY2019 and any changes (positive or negative) in the rating since the rating rating previous reporting period Low Low The overall risk assessment remains low

Page 33 of 39

4. Adjustments to Project Strategy

Please report any adjustments made to the project strategy, as reflected in the results matrix, in the past 12 months21

Change Made to Yes/No Describe the Change and Reason for Change

Project Outcomes No Project Outputs No

Adjustments to Project Time Frame If the duration of the project, the project work schedule, or the timing of any key events such as project start up, evaluations or closing date, have been adjusted since project approval, please explain the changes and the reasons for these changes. The Budget Holder may decide, in consultation with the PTF, to request the adjustment of the EOD-NTE in FPMIS to the actual start of operations providing a sound justification.

Change Describe the Change and Reason for Change

Original NTE: 21/03/2019 Revised NTE: 21/03/2020 Project extension Justification: The main activity of the project, safeguarding and disposal 200 tonnes of POPs and obsolete pesticides (component 1) is still not achieved because the launch of the tender for the recruitment of an international specialized firm was done and ended on January 31, 2019. The activities of securing and eliminating obsolete pesticides can be summed up as: - 1st stage of a prospecting mission of the selected international company for an inventory of fixtures and recognition of the priority stores where POPs and obsolete pesticides are listed - 2nd step by starting security operations for POPs and obsolete pesticides which happens to be the longest phase - 3rd time by the removal of products by sea transport for destruction abroad (country chosen by the company). At the level of this component, there remains the decontamination of a large site heavily polluted by POPs whose company will be recruited will be tasked with removing 15 tons of kegs containing mud dieldrin and aldrin and waste related to the remediation of the site by the national site decontamination team.

21 Minor adjustments to project outputs can be made during project inception. Significant adjustments can be made only after a mid-term review/evaluation or supervision missions. The changes need to be discussed with the FAO- GEF Coordination Unit, then approved by the whole Project Task Force and endorsed by the Project Steering Committee.

Page 34 of 39

At component 2 level, the remaining activities are mainly: - the implementation of a pilot plan for the management of empty pesticide packaging in the departments of Borgou and Alibori (Benin cotton basin); - the determination of collection and treatment centers, transport, temporary storage facilities by village and final storage by department; - the recycling/treatment of empty pesticide packaging by an NGO called Bethesda, one of whose departments specializes in community development and environmental sanitation. To this end, a LoA between FAO and NGO Bethesda is signed on November 26, 2018 for the execution of processing and recycling operations for empty pesticide packaging; - the evaluation of the pilot plan, which involves improving the health and environment of farming communities.

With regard to component 3, the remaining activities are related to the development of national post-approval inspection and control capacities, which can be summed up in three (03) points: - Development of training plan and equipment for inspection and control of pesticides; - Equipment of two points of entry for inspection and quality control of pesticides; - Training of staff in inspection and control of pesticides.

At component 4, the remaining activities concern: - the monitoring and evaluation of the Cotton Farmer Field Schools (FFS); - the final end-of-cycle surveys of 1st and 2nd year cotton-maize FFS; - the continuation by IITA of the efficiency tests for the determination of potential alternatives on vegetable crops, in particular tomatoes. To this end, a 2nd LoA between FAO and IITA was signed on 19 November 2018 for the realization of this activity.

All the activities carried out from June 2015 to date are close to 38% of the execution rate and the fact that the international company specializing in securing and eliminating POPs is in the process of being recruited and whose activity will be carried out over a period of about 8 to 10 months. Also, the installation of the pilot plan for the rational management of empty pesticide packaging in the departments of Borgou and Alibori (cotton basin of Benin) is also an important activity of component 2 entitled "Study and implementation of management systems of empty packaging of pesticides ".

Page 35 of 39 5. Gender Mainstreaming

Information on Progress on gender-responsive measures as documented at CEO Endorsement/Approval in the gender action plan or equivalent (when applicable)?

The national project coordinator is a woman and she encourages participating women on steering committees (Project Steering Committee and Project Management Unit) and key stakeholder events. Emphasis is also placed on the participation of rural women in awareness-raising and education meetings on exposures related to the risks associated with contamination at contaminated sites and pesticides and also through the re-use of empty packaging of pesticides. By removing and addressing sources of POPs contamination in communities, the project will help reduce the exposure of women, children and other vulnerable groups. Partnerships with civil society (for example, the NGO that already removes containers from the use of public health from traffic) explicitly target women in their advocacy and communication efforts. Regarding the participation of women in the CEP, 46 women took part in the activities in the 10 FFS market gardening of 1st and 2nd years and 37 women in the 13 FFS cotton-maize of 1st and 2nd year. As part of the implementation of the pilot plan for the management of empty pesticide packaging in the departments of Borgou and Alibori, 200 producers including two (02) groups of 22 women were trained and sensitized on triple rinsing and the management of empty pesticide packaging in the departments of Borgou and Alibori. .

Page 36 of 39

6. Indigenous Peoples Involvement

Are Indigenous Peoples involved in the project? How? Please briefly explain.

The agricultural populations, in particular the cotton producers who are bariba, dendi, and other ethnic groups of the Benin cotton basin, are the key participants at the same time as the beneficiaries, through the reduction of exposure to pesticides, and will be engaged through the communication strategy, FFS and typological studies concerning alternatives. Women and children of agricultural producers benefit from reduced pesticide exposure, through improved management of pests and pesticides and awareness of the risks posed by pesticides. In particular, cotton producers have used proven biopesticides as less harmful alternatives for integrated cotton pest management to reduce the use of hazardous chemical pesticides. Market gardeners (bariba and dendi) in the department of Malanville also participated in FFS activities to promote alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides. Urban and rural Yoruba, gon, fon populations living near remediated contaminated sites and decontaminated pesticide stores are less exposed to health and environmental risks because food is less contaminated and water is less contaminated by pesticides.

7. Stakeholders Engagement Please report on progress, challenges and outcomes on stakeholder engagement (based on the description of the Stakeholder engagement plan included at CEO Endorsement/Approval (when applicable): Stakeholders have been engaged as foreseen in the project document, no major challenges encountered.

8. Knowledge Management Activities

Knowledge activities / products (when applicable), as outlined in knowledge management approved at CEO Endorsement / Approval

1 project factsheet 5 radio spots on risks of pesticides and risk reduction measures 1 manual on inspection of pesticides 3 curricula on farming and integrated pest management for cotton, maize and vegetables 1 poster on management of empty pesticide containers management for farmers 1 brochure on biopesticide (in progress)

Page 37 of 39 9. Co-Financing Table

Actual Amount Amount Expected total Actual Amount Materialized at Midterm Sources of Co- Name of Co- Type of Co- Confirmed at CEO disbursement by the end Materialized at or closure (confirmed by financing22 financer financing endorsement / of the project 30 June 2019- the review/evaluation approval team) Government Ministry of In-kind 300,000 75,000 300,000 225,000 Agriculture (ABSSA) Government Ministry of Grant 4,250,000 1,062,500 4,250,000 3,187,500 Agriculture (ABSSA) Government Ministry of In-kind 500,000 125,000 500,000 375,000 Agriculture (DAGRI) Private Sector Croplife Grant 868,500 300,000 868,500 568,500 International Private Sector Croplife In-kind 60,000 15,000 60,000 45,000 International Civil society OBEPAB Grant 500,000 125,000 375,000 500,000 Civil society OBEPAB In-kind 500,000 125,000 375,000 500,000 Research IITA Grant 300,000 75,000 300,000 225,000 Institute GEF Agency FAO Grant 3,152,125 788,031 2,364,094 3,152,125 GEF Agency FAO In-kind 150,000 37,500 112,500 150,000 TOTAL 10,580,625 2,728,031 7,852,594 10,580,625

Please explain any significant changes in project co-financing since Project Document signature, or differences between the anticipated and actual rates of disbursement

22 Sources of Co-financing may include: Bilateral Aid Agency(ies), Foundation, GEF Agency, Local Government, National Government, Civil Society Organization, Other Multi- lateral Agency(ies), Private Sector, Beneficiaries, Other.

Page 38 of 39

Annex 1. – GEF Performance Ratings Definitions

Development/Global Environment Objectives Rating – Assess how well the project is meeting its development objective/s or the global environment objective/s it set out to meet. DO Ratings definitions: Highly Satisfactory (HS - Project is expected to achieve or exceed all its major global environmental objectives, and yield substantial global environmental benefits, without major shortcomings. The project can be presented as “good practice”); Satisfactory (S - Project is expected to achieve most of its major global environmental objectives, and yield satisfactory global environmental benefits, with only minor shortcomings); Moderately Satisfactory (MS - Project is expected to achieve most of its major relevant objectives but with either significant shortcomings or modest overall relevance. Project is expected not to achieve some of its major global environmental objectives or yield some of the expected global environment benefits); Moderately Unsatisfactory (MU - Project is expected to achieve of its major global environmental objectives with major shortcomings or is expected to achieve only some of its major global environmental objectives); Unsatisfactory (U - Project is expected not to achieve most of its major global environment objectives or to yield any satisfactory global environmental benefits); Highly Unsatisfactory (HU - The project has failed to achieve, and is not expected to achieve, any of its major global environment objectives with no worthwhile benefits.)

Implementation Progress Rating – Assess the progress of project implementation. IP Ratings definitions: Highly Satisfactory (HS): Implementation of all components is in substantial compliance with the original/formally revised implementation plan for the project. The project can be resented as “good practice”. Satisfactory (S): Implementation of most components is in substantial compliance with the original/formally revised plan except for only a few that are subject to remedial action. Moderately Satisfactory (MS): Implementation of some components is in substantial compliance with the original/formally revised plan with some components requiring remedial action. Moderately Unsatisfactory (MU): Implementation of some components is not in substantial compliance with the original/formally revised plan with most components requiring remedial action. Unsatisfactory (U): Implementation of most components is not in substantial compliance with the original/formally revised plan. Highly Unsatisfactory (HU): Implementation of none of the components is in substantial compliance with the original/formally revised plan.

Page 39 of 39