MALI LIVESTOCK FOR GROWTH (L4G) AECOM International Development

Monthly Report No. 10

20 August 2015

COMPONENT 1. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

1.1 Enhanced technology innovation, dissemination, and management

 An L4G-supported village animator trained 18 women and two men from Koro Cercle on contour ridge farming. Contour ride farming is now practiced on a total of 1.75 ha of land.  Six producers including four women were trained on contour ridge farming in the village of Koumbogourou in Koro Cercle on July 18. After the training, members of the Women’s Livestock as a Business Platform (WLBP) applied contour ridge farming to 0.5 ha of land.

1.2 Increased access to quality inputs and services  On July 19, L4G distributed 4,746 kg of forage seeds and 9,000 kg of NPK fertilizer to 170 PO members (including 70 women) in Koro Cercle for an estimated area of 298 ha planted with rain-fed forage crops. In Bankass, 892 members of various POs received 7,422 kg of forage seeds and 10,050 kg of NPK fertilizer for an estimated area of 583 ha planted with forage crops.  1,641 kg of forage crop seeds and 2,597 kg of NPK fertilizer were distributed to 3,088 members of Women’s and Youth Livestock as a Business Platforms (WLBPs and YLBPs) in Koro and Bankass Cercles. The total planted land to date is 52 ha.

 L4G identified additional fertilizer suppliers in Koro and Bankass Cercles with Seed distribution to members support from the head of the government agency Local Service for Livestock of YLBPs. Production and Industry (SLPIA), the Chief of the IFDC program in Segou, and the Director of the Cooperative for Production of Poultry Rations (COPRAAV) at Segou that produces and sells feed for animal fattening.  L4G identified eight suppliers for livestock feed in Bankass with a distribution capacity of 253 tons of cotton seed meal and 60 tons of rice bran per year. L4G also identified three urea suppliers in Sévaré that the program will engage: PLANET Distribution, Societe Wangafu, and Project Placement Profond d’Urée in Microdose (FPD MD).  L4G identified the national vet association (ANAVEM) and the Collective of Malian Veterinarians (COVEM) as suppliers of livestock veterinary products who receive vaccines from the Central Veterinarian Lab (LCV) of Sotuba. They act as wholesale distributors to private vets (mandatories) for the annual livestock vaccination campaign campaigns.

1.3 Improved pastureland and water resources management  The L4G Bankass Coordinator conducted site visits to all water harvesting (WH) works in Ende 2 Village on July 16 and visited Oualia Village and Kanikombole Village permeable dams July 19. The locally elected WH management committees continue to coordinate with the Kani-bonzon Mayor’s office to carry out corrective maintenance on an as- needed basis. To protect the major investment L4G made to rehabilitate the 45 meter long stone masonry dam at Ende 2, the Bankass Coordinator opted to rebuild the stilling basin below the dam’s weir (spillway) using a payment for performance contract. The local communities carry out all routine maintenance of WH works.

Mali L4G Monthly Report: August 2015 1 Contract: AID-688-C-14-00004 1.4 Improved community literacy, numeracy, nutrition and hygiene practices

 From July 22-29, the L4G Nutrition Specialist identified 16 tree nursery gardeners (including seven women) to promote Moringa, in five villages in Koro and six villages in Bankass. L4G will introduce Moringa to the populations to reduce human malnutrition and act as a double purpose crop also used for cattle feed.  From July 16-20, 274 growers including 163 women were trained on human malnutrition, prevention of malnutrition, and value of the three main food groups in nine villages of Koro and Bankass.

COMPONENT II. LIVESTOCK TRADE

2.1 Strengthened market linkages and access

 This month L4G prepared terms of reference concerning trade and non-tariff barriers to livestock export and payment of illicit taxes. The purpose of the study is to: 1) identify procedures and regulations used in livestock export, institutions dealing with it, and difficulties faced; 2) identify documents involved in livestock export and time and cost to access those documents; 3) determine checkpoints along livestock export routes to the borders with Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire; 4) identify the job descriptions of checkpoint workers; 5) quantify the illicit deductions by the type of agents (customs, police, gendarmerie, vet services); 6) calculate the time spent at checkpoints; and 7) propose actions to reduce trade barriers and time lost. The study is planned for September 2015.  On July 28 L4G and Premiere Agence de Microfinance (PAMF) developed a partnership convention pending signature defining a framework for collaboration between L4G and PAMF for possible support to microfinance for individuals and PO members and alternative loan mechanisms for animal fattening. L4G also drafted terms of reference between PO leaders and five microfinance institutions: PAMF, Guinedo, Kondo Jigima, USDAF, Kafo Jiginew. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss 1) improving PO members’ access to loans for animal fattening, 2) barriers to accessing credit, 3) a strategy for educating PO members about different types of loans, terms, and application processes, 4) increase funding for animal fattening activities, 5) identify the strengths, weaknesses, needs, and expectations of POs and IMFs, 6) identify solutions to develop a strategy for improving the IMFs’ coverage to L4G villages and POs, 7) stimulate business deals between IMFs and POs. This meeting is planned for the last week of August in Koro and Bankass.  The L4G Trade and Marketing Linkages Specialist attended a meeting July 29 in Mopti to organize Tabaski holiday marketing. The Regional Direction of Production of Animal Industry (DRPIA) led the meeting with national leadership (DNPIA) also attending.

Livestock Value Chain Workshop held in Bamako USAID/Mali Mission Director, Gary Juste, and the on August 12-13 2015 at the Centre du Secteur Ministry of Rural Development Representative Privé (CSP). visit the exhibitions of L4G achievements in the Cercles of Koro and Bankass during a workshop.

Mali L4G Monthly Report: August 2015 2 Contract: AID-688-C-14-00004 COMPONENT IV. STRENGTHENED LOCAL CAPACITIES AND SYSTEMS

4.2 Strengthened capacity of livestock value chain actors

 The third Livestock Value Chain Workshop took place August 12-13, 2015 in Bamako with 45 participants, including six women. Participants included regional stakeholders, leaders at national level, USAID/Mali, AECOM Value Chain Specialist Mr. Josilien Edouard, and L4G staff. The goals of the workshop were to: 1) define the general concept of a value chain, 2) present and share with participants the inclusive L4G livestock value chain approach, 3) present and prioritize key constraints in the value chain, 4) present solutions proposed by L4G to address constraints, particularly areas within the scope of L4G, 5) consider proposals and contributions from the participants to finalize and validate the L4G value chain approach.  During the last month, L4G identified private and public sector actors L4G will support in Koro and Bankass, including private vets, cooperatives, exporters, input suppliers (fertilizers, forage seeds, livestock rations), and forage seed growers. The public sector actors include training institutes IFP and IER, civil society organizations, and associations. L4G will conduct a capacity assessment of each group.

COMPONENT V. ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

5.2 Increased capacity of civil society for policy analysis and advocacy

 The livestock value chain workshop permitted advocacy at the Bamako level for minimizing “rent seeking” at the Malian border and other checkpoints. Discussions included establishing a “green” telephone line to register complaints against being obliged to pay bribes. Participants also discussed enforcement of existing legislation banning the use of plastic bags so ruminants are not consuming plastic, a detriment to human and livestock health.

OPERATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES

 L4G attended the fourth USAID partners meeting on July 28 in the conference room of the SPRING Project in Sévaré. The SPRING representative asked L4G to provide Moringa seed to be sown in their coverage area. From August 4-8 the L4G Capacity Building and Partnerships Specialist and Nutrition Specialist travelled to to assess and select six Feed the Future (FTF) communes for expansion of L4G activities at USAID request. The preliminary selection of communes includes Tonka and in Cercle and , and in Dire Cercle. The communes of in Goundam and in Nianfounke are classified as “red zone” due to potential terrorist attacks, crime, and robbery of vehicles and other belongings. In the six proposed communes there are a total of 64,570 bovine cattle, 107,195 sheep, 109,872 goats, and 2,354 camels.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

 The L4G M&E Specialist identified 36 Village Animators, water harvesting crew leaders, and Auxiliary Vets, including 12 women, with a necessary level of education to be trained during late August on data collection techniques to support data collection for L4G indicators through implementation.  The L4G M&E Specialist is preparing to conduct a Data Quality Assessment in September.

Mali L4G Monthly Report: August 2015 3 Contract: AID-688-C-14-00004