Quarterly Report #2 FY2019 Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program January – March 2019
Fintrac Inc. www.fintrac.com [email protected]
US Virgin Islands 3077 Kronprindsens Gade 72 St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Tel: (340) 776-7600 Fax: (340) 776-7601
Washington, DC 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20036 USA Tel: (202) 462-8475 Fax: (202) 462-8478
Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program (FTFZ-LD) Suite 1, West Block Westgate Shopping Complex Westgate, Harare Zimbabwe Tel: +263 242 309050 [email protected] www.fintrac.com
Cover Photo: Village milk aggregator and beef-dairy farmer, Sarah Ndodha from Chirumhanzu, Midlands is now an inspiration to women around her, thanks to program interventions that have empowered her to earn new income from dairy.
All Photos by Fintrac Inc.
April 2019 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It was prepared by Fintrac Inc. under contract AID-613-C-15-00001 with USAID/Zimbabwe.
Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
CONTENTS ACRONYM LIST ...... 4 FOREWORD ...... 5 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 6 2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ...... 9 3. ACTIVITIES ...... 12 3.1 BENEFICIARIES ...... 13 3.2 INCREASING INCOMES ...... 14 3.3 INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY ...... 18 3.4 IMPROVING NUTRITION AND HYGIENE STATUS ...... 29 3.5 IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ...... 35 4. ENVIRONMENT ...... 38 4.1 TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ...... 39 4.2 EMMP ...... 40 4.2.1. Animal Husbandry Activities ...... 40 4.2.2: Animal Health Activities ...... 41 4.2.3: Animal Handling Facilities ...... 42 5. GENDER ...... 43 5.1 WOMEN LEADERS IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION ...... 43 5.2 WOMEN AND YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TRAINING ...... 43 5.3 DECISION-MAKING ...... 45 5.4 INVESTMENT AND OWNERSHIP OF PRODUCTIVE ASSETS...... 45 5.5 ACCESS TO FINANCE ...... 46 5.6 ACCESS TO MARKETS ...... 46 5.7 AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ...... 46 6. LESSONS LEARNED ...... 48 7. CHALLENGES ...... 49 8. ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR NEXT QUARTER ...... 50 ANNEX 1: SNAPSHOTS...... 51 ANNEX 2. FTFZ-LD ILLUSTRATIVE INDICATORS ...... 53 ANNEX 3. LIST OF BUYERS ...... 59 Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
ANNEX 4. LIST OF INPUT SUPPLIERS ...... 60 ANNEX 5. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFICIARIES ...... 61
Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
ACRONYM LIST AGRITEX Department of Agricultural, Technical, and Extension Services AHS Annual Household Survey AI Artificial Insemination CIRIS Client Impact and Results Information System DLPD Division of Livestock Production and Development DVS Department of Veterinary Services EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan FTF Feed the Future FY Fiscal Year GAPs Good Agricultural Practice(s) GAHPs Good Animal Husbandry Practice(s) GBV Gender-based Violence ISAL Internal Savings and Lending LOP Life of Program MCC Milk Collection Center M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MFI Microfinance Institution MOU Memorandum of Understanding NGO Nongovernmental Organization NRM Natural Resource Management NRs Natural / Agro-ecological Regions PERSUAP Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan PPE Personal Protective Equipment PPLS Production Productivity Lending and Savings groups SSC Small-Scale Commercial USAID United States Agency for International Development WASH Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
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FOREWORD The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program began June 23, 2015 and runs through June 22, 2020. The overall goal of the activity is to provide inclusive economic opportunities to smallholder farmers and other actors along the beef and dairy value chains by sustainably increasing their production, productivity, and incomes to enhance food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction. The program focuses on commercializing low-income and food-insecure households in agro-ecological regions (NRs) III, IV, and V with the potential to move from subsistence to small-scale commercial beef and dairy farmers through the promotion and adoption of good agricultural and animal husbandry practices, marketing, hygiene and nutritional practices, and building market linkages that not only generate income but also increase farmers’ overall resilience, food security, and improved nutritional and hygienic status. In addition, the program aims to increase the institutional and organizational capacity of local organizations working with the program. The program is building demand for smallholder-produced beef and dairy products by focusing on quality, continuity of supply, and cost competitiveness. The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program also collaborates with the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Crop Development program and other donor programs to provide specialized technical support to produce nutritious crops that sustainably increase the availability of these foods among beneficiary households. Fintrac implements the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program in collaboration with local private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Division of Livestock Production and Development (DLPD), the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX), the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), and other government departments involved in the beef and dairy value chains. Local NGOs and commercial companies work with the program as development partners to co-fund purchases of essential inputs and new technologies for demonstration purposes on a cost-recovery basis. In summary, the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program is a market-driven program that works closely with small, medium, and large-scale buyers to stimulate demand and increase competitiveness for smallholder-produced beef and dairy products. The program directly contributes to food availability and access by concurrently increasing production and raising incomes of rural households in selected areas.
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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This is the 15th quarterly report for the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program funded by USAID/Zimbabwe under contract AID-613-C-15-00001 and implemented by Fintrac Inc. The report presents activity achievements, results on some performance indicators,1 and anecdotal information from beneficiaries over the period of January to March 2019 (Q2 Fiscal Year [FY] 2019).
The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program is providing technical assistance to reduce poverty and increase food security among 1,800 beef and 1,200 dairy smallholder households in the districts of Chipinge, Chirumhanzu, Gokwe South, Gweru, Kwekwe, and Umzingwane which all fall in NRs III, IV, and V. The program focuses on reducing the prevalence of poverty; increasing incomes and agricultural production and productivity; and improving household nutritional and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) status. In addition, the program is building the capacity of local organizations to implement agricultural development programs. Program activities during the quarter focused on: Training, technical assistance, and mobilizing cattle farmers for off the rangeland cattle sales to abattoirs working with the program. Training and technical assistance on production and productivity-enhancing good animal husbandry practices (GAHPs), dosing, vaccination, construction of appropriate cattle handling facilities, and calf-rearing techniques. Training and technical assistance on business skills, including recordkeeping, market intelligence, contract management, credit management, farm planning, group marketing, and enterprise budgeting. Training and technical assistance on drought mitigation strategies, including mobilizing and facilitating procurement of supplementary and survival feeds, sensitizing farmers on herd rationalization and purposeful destocking through off-the-rangeland sales of unproductive animals which include old oxen and cull cows. Training and technical assistance on fodder flow planning, fodder production, harvesting, preservation, and conservation. Expanding the formal and informal marketing of milk and dairy products produced by program beneficiaries. Expanding and strengthening linkages of beneficiaries and other value chain players to credit and finance providers. Creating awareness of and providing training and technical assistance on cross-cutting issues, such as gender, environment, nutrition, and WASH. Building the capacity of the program’s local implementing partners, farmers’ groups and private sector. Skills transfer and best practices in monitoring and evaluation were shared with local partners implementing USAID-funded agricultural development programs. Farmer groups were trained in record keeping, credit management, and cattle marketing among other training areas. Private sector companies were given assistance in understanding the operations of smallholder farmers. Conducting the first round of the Annual Household Survey (AHS).
1 Full results on all indicators will be available in the fourth quarter once the 2nd round of the Annual Household Survey, a sample survey, is completed among randomly selected program beneficiaries. The Annual Household Survey collects data on 20 of 32 indicators monitored by the program.
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Despite the substantial rains during the first half of January 2019, all program focus areas received below normal rains during the review period. Widespread crop failure, early drying out of the rangeland and most water sources, and poor performance of the rangeland is visible in all six program districts.
Cyclone Idai-induced rains during the first half of March 2019 helped recharge water bodies and rejuvenate the rangeland and some drought tolerant food and fodder crops in Chipinge, Chirumhanzu, Gweru, and Umzingwane districts.
Some program operational areas (wards 1, 3,4,16, 20, and 21) in Chipinge were negatively affected by Cyclone Idai. Extensive damage to infrastructure and losses of crops, assets, livestock, and human life were experienced by some project beneficiaries. Across the six wards, 1,355 houses and 380 toilets were destroyed. Additional efforts were made to help farmers rebuild their lives after the cyclone through reinforced Nutrition and WASH messages and practices to minimize incidences of water borne diseases. Program beneficiaries in the affected wards showed significant resilience to the cyclone shock.
Tick infestation remained high in all areas due to the weather conditions and breakdown in government- managed dipping services due to the lack of resources in purchasing adequate acaricides. The program is encouraging beneficiaries to practice on-farm tick control with PERSUAP-compliant chemicals using knapsack sprayers to minimize livestock loss from tick-borne diseases.
Despite the above challenges, the program continued to focus on preparing farmers for a poor cropping season and building their ability to recover from natural shocks and stresses. Notable achievements were made in building farmers’ net worth, supporting herd growth and improvement, promoting on-farm investments, and improving linkages to finance and formal markets for both beef and dairy farmers. Specific achievements in this quarter included: • Program beneficiaries from Gweru, Gokwe South, Chirumhanzu, and Umzingwane recorded sales of 87,153 liters of raw milk worth RTGS$ 88,7912 into formal markets. Village milk aggregators mobilized and delivered 10,189 liters of raw milk worth RTGS$ 10,933 to the formal market. • The program linked 127 beneficiary farmers to existing and new networks of formal markets. Forty-two beef farmers, 36 percent women, were linked to formal markets, while 85 dairy producers, 47 percent women, were linked to formal markets. • A total of 785 farmers (52 percent women) received training and/or one-on-one technical assistance from program personnel on GAPs, GAHPs, business skills, marketing, environment, gender, nutrition, and WASH. Four hundred and ninety-eight (498) were beef farmers (55 percent women) and 287 were dairy farmers (47 percent women). Sixteen percent were youth. • The program continued to deliberately intensify and diversify program interventions on existing beneficiaries in order to increase program impact and outcomes. Seventy-five percent of households or 950 households who have received training and technical assistance in FY2019 are households that have worked with the program in previous years. • The program continued to promote technologies and management practices that enhance production and productivity at lead farmer hosted demonstration centers in collaboration with AGRITEX, DVS, and private sector companies. Technologies promoted include: low-cost maintenance feed formulation and supplementary feeding, fodder flow planning and production, appropriate livestock handling facilities, good herd health management practices (vaccinations;
2 The prevailing official exchange rate during the reporting period was US$1: RTGS$2.5
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deworming; dipping; and disease prevention, control, and treatment), hygienic handling of milk, improved breeding, and good calf management. • Results from the first round of AHS indicate that investments worth $1.27 million were made by 1,612 beneficiaries, 47 percent women, during the first half of FY2019 in livestock, farm machinery and equipment, and irrigation infrastructure. • The program assisted 58 farmers (45 percent women) in accessing loans worth $24,623 from formal and informal sources. Women accessed loans worth $11,945. The loans were used for purchasing stock feed, veterinary drugs, and in-calf heifers. • The program trained and offered technical assistance to 441 beneficiaries (56 percent women) on nutrition-related topics and 369 beneficiaries (56 percent women) on WASH- related topics to promote positive behavior change in nutrition and WASH. A whole farm approach3 was used to provide GAHPs in rearing livestock, including small stock (poultry, goats, rabbits, and sheep) and GAPs in the production of a diverse range of crops (vegetables, legumes, fruit trees, and cereals) to improve WASH, dietary diversity, and food security. • Twenty-five private organizations/associations, including four women’s groups, received training and technical assistance on farming as a family business, feedlot budgeting, credit and contract management, group marketing and electronic banking, recordkeeping, group funding and bundling group savings, and governance issues. • Beneficiaries are heeding program advice to combat soil erosion and land degradation through increased planting of multipurpose trees and grasses. In addition, there is positive response to program messaging on the proper use of dips and chemical remedies, use of appropriate equipment, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when spraying chemicals. However, in dairy areas, signs of land degradation and deforestation are becoming apparent. The program is encouraging farmers to establish paddocks, making it easier for grazing management. • Thus far, 64 percent of the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s budget has been disbursed. After 45 months of implementation, the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program is on course to meet its objectives. A summary of performance against PMP indicators is shown in Annex 2. Preliminary results from the first round of AHS are reported where applicable. In the coming quarter, the program will intensify training and technical assistance on GAHPs and GAPs to encourage increased production and productivity, animal health, and disease control. The program plans to continue facilitating increased links to formal markets for beef and dairy farmers, supporting the development of centers of excellence to showcase best practices and impact of GAPs and GAHPs, and supporting farmers in accessing finance. Additionally, during the upcoming quarter, the program plans to start implementing the Grants under Contract activities.
3 A farming approach which views production and productivity from all agricultural activities and enterprises in a holistic manner/at the farm as a whole and not as individual enterprises.
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2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The primary objective of the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program is to provide inclusive economic opportunities that sustainably reduce poverty and increase food security, incomes, WASH, and nutrition status of 1,800 beef and 1,200 dairy smallholder farmers in natural regions (NRs) III, IV, and V.4 The program focuses on increasing production, productivity, and market linkages of beef and dairy farmers as a means of increasing their food security, incomes, hygiene, and nutritional status. These goals will be reached through the achievement of three intermediate results (IRs): ● Increased sustainable agricultural production, productivity, and incomes of targeted beef and dairy smallholder farmers through increased market linkages; access to appropriate credit and finance; adoption of GAPs/GAHPs and technologies; and investment. ● Improved hygiene and nutrition-related behaviors through training and technical assistance on good household nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation practices as well as exclusive breastfeeding. ● Increased organizational capacity of local organizations to implement USAID-funded agricultural development programs by transferring skills and capacity building, sharing best practices, and attracting investments from private sector organizations partnering with the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program.
The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program concentrates on profitable beef and dairy production and income generation through appropriate and sustainable interventions5 that improve the livelihoods of vulnerable livestock owners. These activities will help rural families transition from subsistence to commercial farming and increase their net worth through investment in cattle and other on-farm productivity-enhancing assets.
Figure 1 summarizes the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s implementation approach. Interventions will sustainably raise production, productivity, and incomes from smallholder beef and dairy systems; improve hygiene practices and behaviors; increase the availability and utilization of nutritious foods; expand market access and availability of credit and finance across value chains; add value to beef and dairy products; and boost agricultural investment and the adoption of best practices by local implementers. To maximize outreach and ensure sustainability, the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program is partnering with commercial companies, NGOs, and relevant government departments. Collaboration with the government has enabled easy entry into target areas and led to the sharing of technical information and training platforms, and will also be used to enable a sustainable program exit. Developing commercial partnerships through a national network of agribusinesses strengthens farmers’ access to markets with fair prices, provides working capital and finance at realistic rates, supplies inputs efficiently, and provides extension and training to growers as an embedded cost. Partnerships focus on establishing service provision options at market rates. During the fourth year (FY2019), program activities are focusing on: Implementing the whole farm approach as the first step toward commercialization and improving beneficiaries’ incomes, food security, and resilience. Implementing the beef-dairy concept and the village aggregator model to facilitate and foster linkages with formal and informal markets to increase demand for smallholder beef and dairy products.
4 The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s goals have been aligned with Development Objective 1 of USAID/Zimbabwe’s new CDCS 2016 – 2021. 5 Interventions such as herd rationalization combined with linkages to abattoirs and auction sales; use of low cost feed sources; production and implementation of fodder plans; linkages with sources of finance and input suppliers.
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Identifying high-potential and viable beef and dairy agribusiness hubs in targeted regions and establish sustainable market linkages Ensuring the competitiveness of smallholder beef and dairy sectors by improving productivity and efficiency. Creating more sustainable markets and harnessing new private sector investment in smallholder beef and dairy production by supporting innovative business models in formal and informal sectors. Linking market players to smallholder livestock farmers in identified agribusiness hubs through creating commercial partnerships with input suppliers; expanding the availability of inputs for beef and dairy farmers; and introducing low- to no-cost interventions that improve productivity, animal health, and nutrition. Demonstrating the high-investment returns achieved by employing low-cost technologies and improved management practices. Facilitating access to capital, finance, and credit for all value chain actors to facilitate investment. Improving overall household health and nutrition through improved dietary diversity (e.g., by incorporating livestock products) and trainings on household nutrition and proper sanitation. Prioritizing coordination with other USAID, donor, and government investments in the target areas to maximize leveraging and impact per dollar spent. Building the capacity of local businesses, producer groups, and other community institutions to ensure adherence to USAID operational standards. Providing demand-driven training and technical assistance to address site-specific challenges. Identifying opportunities for beneficiaries to generate high returns with minimal resources. Empowering women and youth. The strategy continues to mainstream gender and youth to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and transformative agricultural-led economic growth and monitors progress from baseline to quantifiably report on impact.
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IMPACT (Long-term PROJECT GOAL: PROVIDE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUSTAINABLY REDUCE POVERTY AND IMPROVE results) FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION AND BUILD RESILIENCE OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN ZIMBABWE
OUTCOMES Increased sustainable agricultural (Intermediary Increased organizational capacity of production, productivity, and Improved nutrition and hygiene Results) local implementing organizations incomes practices and behaviors
Increased Increased adoption of best implementation Increased Increased organizational Increased Improved Increased OUTPUTS effectiveness of private sector adoption of Expanded Improved practices. access to Improved access to and prevalence of agricultural investment in GAPS and market access hygiene (Sub IRs) (Management; credit and utilization of exclusive programs by the agriculture management and value chain NRM behaviors HR; ethics; M&E; local integration finance nutritious foods breastfeeding USAID regulatory sector practices organizations compliance etc.)
INPUTS Capacity Promote Promote Trainings (GAPS, AND Partnerships development techniques for Finance, Quality social Market technologies, ACTIVITIES and and sharing BDS climate credit, and and inclusion of best linkages management skills, (Including collaboration change investment standards women and practices nutrition, hygiene) cross-cutting) adaptation youth
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3. ACTIVITIES Despite substantial rains during the first half of January 2019, the agricultural season has remained below normal in all focus areas for both crop and livestock production. Widespread crop failure, drying out of most water sources and poor performance of the rangeland is apparent in all six districts. Sporadic and infrequent light showers were received during the last half of January and continued to the middle of February 2019. A dry period then ensued lasting to the second week of March 2019. During the last half of March 2019, all program focus areas except for Gokwe South and Kwekwe districts, received some Cyclone Idai induced rains that helped in rejuvenating the rangeland and some food crops - mainly drought tolerant crops - as well as recharge some water bodies. Unfortunately, Chipinge district was at the epicentre of the tropical storm which resulted in the destruction of homes and infrastructure and loss of livestock, crops, and food reserves. Tick borne diseases remained the biggest challenge in all program areas due to the favorable tick breeding conditions and the breakdown in the government-managed dipping services due to the lack of resources in purchasing adequate acaricides. The program is encouraging beneficiaries to practice on-farm tick control using PERSUAP compliant chemicals applied with knapsack sprayers to minimize livestock loss from tick-borne diseases. The program also focused on empowering farmers to take ultimate responsibility for their animal health and to mobilize individual or group resources to safeguard productivity and reduce herd mortality. Program interventions during the review period focused on preparing farmers for the lean season through mobilizing cattle for off the rangeland sales, and technical assistance on drought mitigation strategies; fodder production, harvesting, and conservation; increasing access to credit for both beef and dairy farmers; marketing assistance for live cattle and dairy products; training and technical assistance on production and productivity enhancing GAPs and GAHPs, business development skills, good environmental stewardship, WASH, and nutrition; and building the capacity of farmers’ groups, village based aggregators, and local agro-dealers that are partnering with the program. In Chipinge district, additional efforts were made in helping farmers rebuild their lives after the cyclone through reinforced nutrition and WASH messages and practices to minimize incidences of water borne diseases. Program beneficiaries in the affected wards showed significant resilience to the cyclone shock (See Annex1: Productive Cattle Herd Helps Family Overcome Life’s Obstacles). The program also conducted the first round of the Annual Household Survey (AHS) during the last month of the review period. Data was collected on 20 indicators by program trained enumerators from a stratified random sample of 327 beneficiaries drawn from the six focus districts. While full survey results will be reported in the FY2019 annual report, preliminary survey results on some of the indicators are reported under the relevant sections where applicable. The sections below describe the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program activities during the quarter in five categories including results on some of the 32 monitored indicators: • Beneficiaries:6 Number, gender balance, geographical spread, and types of support received. • Incremental Sales and Income: Amount of new money earned by beneficiaries, measured by sales of all agricultural products including through strengthening of market linkages. • Productivity: Direct interventions resulting in increased production and net returns from beef and dairy production. This also includes interventions that improve access to finance, credit and
6 To be eligible for program support, on initial contact with the program, a beef beneficiary farmer must have 10 or less cattle while a dairy beneficiary must be milking no more than two cows. In addition, all must be earning $500 or less per annum per household, with 75 percent of income emanating from agricultural activities. For small-scale commercial dairy farmers, to be considered for program support, a farmer must be milking more than two cows and earning an annual household income of $1,500 or less on initial contact with the program. Seventy-five percent of income must be from agricultural activities. Small-scale commercial dairy beneficiaries must not exceed 30 percent of total dairy beneficiaries.
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investment; developing business skills among beneficiary farmers and collaborating partners; and promoting farmer-led extension systems. • Nutrition and hygiene: Interventions targeted for positive behavior change in nutrition, and WASH activities. • Organizational capacity development: Interventions targeted at promoting farmer led extension systems; developing the organizational capacity of farmer groups and local collaborating partners to enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in servicing smallholder farmers, and implementing development programs. An explanation of the program’s environmental and gender activities follows in each respective section. 3.1 BENEFICIARIES EG. 3-2 Number of Individuals Participating in USG Food Security Programs During the review period, the program reached 785 individual farmers (654 rural households) of which 498 (415 households) were individual beef farmers and 287 (239 households) were individual dairy farmers from across the six operational districts. Women represented 52 percent of beneficiaries reached and youth represented 16 percent. Seventy-five percent of households who have received training and technical assistance in FY2019 are farmers that have worked with the program in previous years (Table 3.1.1 and 3.1.2).
Table 3.1.1 Beneficiary Progress, Q2 FY2019 FY 2019 FY2019 Achievement Value Chain Progress Target New (Q1+Q2) Continuing Total
Beef 2,600 268 617 885 34% Dairy 1,000 46 333 379 38% Total 3,600 314 950 1,264 35% Source: CIRIS
There were more new beef farmers compared to dairy farmers. Chipinge district, which is predominantly a beef area, continued to record the highest number of new beef beneficiaries. These farmers were attracted to the program after observing the positive impact of program interventions on neighboring farmers who were already receiving program support. Farmers received training and technical assistance on production and productivity enhancing GAPs and GAHPs, business skills, good nutrition and WASH practices, and good environmental stewardship. One hundred and twenty-seven (127) farmers (43 percent women), were linked to formal beef and dairy markets and a further 58 (45 percent women), were facilitated in accessing credit (Table 3.1.2). Table 3.1.2: Program Interventions, Q2 FY2019 Combined Unique Beef Farmers Dairy Farmers Activities Farmers Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total Trainings and TA 275 223 498 136 151 287 411 374 785 Farmers receiving credit 7 9 16 19 23 42 26 32 58 Farmers linked to buyers 15 27 42 40 45 85 55 72 127 Source: CIRIS
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To date, the program has benefited a cumulative 6,949 individual farmers (46 percent women) from 5,791 rural households of which 73 percent are beef farmers (See Annex 5 – Geographical Distribution of Program Beneficiaries by Households, Q2 FY2019). 3.2 INCREASING INCOMES The program continued to promote activities and interventions that improve whole farm production and productivity; viability and reliability of product supply to the market; and relationships among market actors under the beef-dairy and village aggregation models. The objective of these interventions is to generate new income streams for all value chain players through an increase in sales volumes and reduction in marketing costs. Specific market interventions during the quarter included:
Facilitating linkages between beef farmers in Chipinge and Gweru districts with buyers and abattoirs such as Montana Carswell Meats, Koala Meats, and Molus’ Abattoir. These buyers purchased 50 cattle worth RTGS$ 45,459 off the rangeland from 34 beneficiaries. Continuing to build the capacity of eight milk aggregators to provide essential marketing functions including grading, buying, quality control, aggregating, storing, transporting, and distributing raw milk. Capacity building activities aim to empower the aggregators to hygienically receive, handle, store and, deliver raw milk from smallholder farmers for further processing by formal markets. During the review period, the eight village milk aggregators purchased and consolidated (from smallholder producers in Chirumhanzu, Gokwe South, Gweru, and Umzingwane) 10,189 liters of raw milk worth $10,933 compared to 7,833 liters worth $7,363 in Q1 FY2019, an increase of 30 percent in volume and 48 percent value. Continued providing capacity building support to Gokwe milk collection center (MCC) in Gokwe South district in running its business profitably. 3.2.1 Sales of Milk and Dairy Products During the review period, smallholder dairy farmers working with the program in Gweru, Gokwe South, Chirumhanzu, and Umzingwane districts sold 87,153 liters of raw milk worth RTGS$ 88,791 to formal markets (MCC and processors) collaborating with the program, compared to 75,398 liters worth US$ 39,693 in the same quarter in FY2018, a 16 percent increase in volume (Table3.2.1). Increase is attributed to the expansion of the beef-dairy concept and the aggregator model in Chirumhanzu, Gweru, and Gokwe South; increase in active producers at Gokwe MCC due to the graduation of guest producers7 to full members; improved operations at Umzingwane MCC as a result of competition from the private processor; and increase in milk yields among beneficiaries working with the program. The village milk aggregators in Chirumhanzu, Gokwe South, Gweru, and Umzingwane continued to mobilize new raw milk supplies for the formal market and create new income sources for smallholder farmers as they delivered 10,189 liters of raw milk worth RTGS$ 10,933 to the formal market during the review period compared to only 2,005 liters worth US$ 1,123 in the same period in FY2018. The majority of the producers delivering to aggregators are milking their beef cows and using the GAHP skills acquired and income streams generated to gradually build their dairy businesses (see textbox 3.2.1 – Francisca Paramu).
7 To increase milk volumes delivered to the MCC, thus viability, the program negotiated with the MCC to allow non-members – hence guest producers (mainly beef farmers milking their beef cows i.e. beef-dairy concept farmers meeting the hygienic standards) to deliver milk at a discounted price - a win-win for both guest producers and the MCC. With time these guest producers are gradually becoming full members of the MCC.
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The program continued to track milk sales through the informal market as this represents the Text box 3.2.1: Purposed investment enables growth for potential quantity that can be dairy enterprise. harnessed into formal markets Francisca Paramu from Gweru district, Midlands is working with the through viable and sustainable program to pilot a low-cost breed improvement dairying model market linkages. The program premised on procurement and rearing of 5-day-old pure dairy recorded 10,742 liters produced female calves. Paramu purchased 5-day-old dairy calves from a and sold on the informal market. nearby reputable local breeder, Safago Farm, at an average price of $150 per calf. Since she started on the model in 2017, she has The potential for new market bought 12 pure dairy calves. The option is risky, particularly as the development is vast in Chirumhanzu change of environment can affect the newly born calves. However, district, where farm gate sales for proper adherence and application of good calf management Q2 FY2019 were 6,680 liters practices helped Paramu retain 50 percent of the calves enabling her compared to 1,458 liters sold to the to boost her dairy herd. formal market during the review During the review period, the program assisted Paramu to access a period. Formal market sales were RTGS $5,000 loan from Zimnat Microfinance, which she used, along depressed due to market saturation with proceeds earned from the sale of two beef weaners, to procure as small scale processor Venge two Holstein and Jersey cross breed heifers. The in-calf and 15- Stores failed to take additional milk month-old heifers cost US$1,650 and US$850, respectively. Prior to from aggregators in addition to this purchase, Paramu had also procured one Simmental cow and a their on-farm production of 200 Holstein bull now aged 2. Now, Paramu’s pure dairy herd has liters per day. In addition, increased to 10 — nine of which are females. Two of the cows are aggregators stopped supplying raw expected to calve down within the next two months while the rest milk to Mushagashe milk collection will be ready for bulling next year. center due to non-payment for milk “With the experience I have gained over the past year in managing delivered in December 2018 and beef cattle for dairy, I’m ready to deal with proper dairy cows for January 2019. increased milk production and profitability,” said Paramu. The program will continue to build In preparation for the lean season, Paramu stockpiled 18 tons of the capacity of existing aggregators, silage and preserved three tons of hay. Paramu’s income from milk while identifying new aggregators production is set to increase, as the new breeds have potential to produce 15 liters per cow per day on average. Adding this amount and new milk markets in to the 30 liters per day she is currently yielding from her six beef Chirumhanzu district. The program cows, Paramu is set to earn an average of RTGS $82.50 per day. facilitated engagements between The program aims to increase smallholder farmer incomes by Dairiboard Zimbabwe Limited in increasing production and productivity of dairy animals. Investing in Gweru and the dairy producers, superior dairy breeds is one strategy among other interventions aggregators, and Venge Stores. including artificial insemination and good animal husbandry practices. Dairiboard Zimbabwe Limited’s
Gweru plant is operating at 50 percent capacity.
Table 3.2.1: Recorded Milk Sales from Program Focus Areas, Q2 FY2019 January – March 2018 January – March 2019 Quantity (l) Value ($) Quantity (l) Value ($) Buyer Beef – Dairy milk production Chirumhanzu – non MCC 9,379 2,678 6,680 4,525 Farm gate Gokwe South – non MCC 1,500 750 490 490 Farm Gate (Sengwa) Gweru 6,030 1,507 2,940 3,994 Farm Gate Umzingwane – non MCC 190 190 632 1,264 Farm Gate
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Table 3.2.1: Recorded Milk Sales from Program Focus Areas, Q2 FY2019 January – March 2018 January – March 2019 Quantity (l) Value ($) Quantity (l) Value ($) Buyer Total 17,099 5,125 10,742 10,273 1,458 1,458 Venge Stores, Chirumhanzu Aggregators 0 0 Mushagashe MCC Dendairy, Walk-ins, Vending, Spar Zimbabwe, Savemor,
Zhombe, Empress, Gokwe MCC members 24,948 13,220 29,253 26,319 St Agness Logos High School,
Gokwe South General Hospital, ZRP. Gokwe MCC, farm Gokwe South Aggregators 0 0 1,266 1,234 gate Gweru – Individuals 0 0 2,175 2,382 Dairibord Gweru – Aggregators 0 0 5,921 6,697 Dairibord 2,005 1,123 1,544 1,544 Umzingwane MCC, Umzingwane Aggregators Red Tractor Farm Umzingwane – Non MCC 42,879 22,233 35,864 39,485 Kesherlmar, Dendairy Umzingwane MCC members 5,566 3117 9,671 9,671 Umzingwane MCC Total 75,398 39,693 87,153 88,791
In Gokwe South the contribution of milk delivered to the MCC by non-members and/or guest farmers including the two village milk aggregators increased from 18 percent in the previous quarter to 32 percent during the quarter under review. Milk deliveries to the MCC rose by 47 percent from the previous quarter, attributed to increased milk yields per cow per day from GAHPs trainings and the expansion of the beef-dairy and the village milk aggregation models, which saw an additional aggregator, Siyengiwe Machina coming on board. Machina is aggregating from six producers.
Preliminary results from the first round of the FY2019 annual household survey showed an average milk yield of 4.93 liters8 per cow per day compared to the annual average of 5.34 liters per cow per day in FY2018 and 4.89 liters per cow/day in FY2017. The baseline finding was 2.61 liters per cow per day. Anecdotal information shows that as the farmers have tested the markets/money, some of the dairy producers are now adopting production and productivity enhancing good animal husbandry practices and also the number of cows being milked is now on the increase.
3.2.2 Beef Product Sales The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program continues to work with smallholder beef cattle producers in all program focus areas to increase their household incomes through increase in production and productivity and improved access to credit lines and formal markets. The program focuses
8 Please note that these are only indicative results covering six months of the year, full results will be available after the 2nd AHS.
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on exploiting two beef marketing periods during the year: off the rangeland sales from February to May9 and October to December10. During the review period, the program was encouraging beneficiaries to sell their cattle – mostly old oxen, cull cows, and bulls – off the rangeland to abattoirs. Cattle body condition has improved from an average score of 2.5 in the previous quarter to an average of 3.5 this quarter. In addition to exploiting the marketing window the program also encouraged farmers to offload any excess livestock units as a drought mitigating measure in the face of an El Niño induced poor season. The program encouraged the farmers to use proceeds from cattle sales to finance livestock production costs of dipping, dosing, vaccinating, and feeding as well as to finance other household needs. Farmers were also encouraged to invest in capital assets such as boreholes, water pumping and reticulation, forage harvesters and chaff cutters, milking parlors, milking cans, improved heifers, and AI. Some of the program beneficiaries took advantage of the marketing window to sell cattle in order to rationalize their herds by getting rid of the unproductive animals and invested the sales proceeds in more productive and better quality animal units, mostly heifers. The village cattle aggregation model whereby cattle from individual farmers are aggregated for sale to the abattoir was used to reduce logistical challenges and marketing costs. Photo by Fintrac Despite these advantages, most Cattle are loaded into a truck for transport from beneficiary farmers farmers in Gweru and Kwekwe in Lower Gweru to MC Meats in Kwekwe. districts are still conducting uncoordinated sales through the middlemen and local butcheries. The program is continuing to work with all value chain players including the middle men and local butcheries to ensure a viable, profitable, and sustainable value chain. During the quarter, 34 farmers from Gweru and Chipinge districts sold 50 cattle to MC Meats, Koala Meats, and Molus’ Meats worth $45,459 (Table 3.2.2). More cattle are being mobilized for off the rangeland sales for the next quarter. Table 3.2.2 Program Monitored Direct Sale of Cattle through Abattoirs, Q2 FY 2019 Number of Number of Lowest Highest Total Gross District Animals Buyers Farmers Price ($) Price ($) Income ($) Sold Gweru 9 6 MC Meats 655.00 1739.10 9,532.46 15 10 Koala 381. 00 1,507.77 9,050.52 Chipinge 6 5 Molus’ Meats 659 1,551.39 6,446.06 20 13 MC meats 360.62 1,634.40 20,423.07 Grand Total 50 34 45,452.11
9 This takes the advantage of the good cattle body condition from the abundant summer grazing. It targets cull cows and old animals which have a high likelihood of succumbing to poverty deaths during the lean season in addition to being poor performers in feedlots. 10 From October beef prices start to firm up until end of December. The period coincides with the lean season when quality animals are in short supply as feed from the rangeland deteriorates in quality and quantity. In addition, demand for quality beef goes up with the festive season. Pen fattening is the main practice for marketed animals.
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3.3 INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY The program’s technical team, working in collaboration with relevant government departments and private sector partner extension workers, carried out production and productivity increasing activities which included: Improving technical and business skills through: o Training and technical assistance on GAPs, GAHPs, and technologies aimed at improving reproductive efficiency and general cattle performance in terms of herd health, animal nutrition, breeding, and herd rationalization. o Training and technical assistance on business skills to help farmers run their farms as businesses and identify long-term opportunities for earning additional income. Demonstrating and promoting the adoption of GAPs, GAHPs, technologies, and management practices that are low- to no-cost but effective in improving herd performance, whole farm productivity, and increasing returns. Encouraging beneficiaries to invest in assets and technologies that increase productivity such as irrigation infrastructure; breeding heifers and cows; fencing material; milking parlors; and chilling facilities among others. Increasing farmers and other value chain players’ access to finance, credit, and inputs. Results achieved in enhancing production and productivity among beneficiaries during the quarter are reported under four sub-headings: improving agricultural technical and business skills; promoting the adoption of improved technologies and management practices; increasing investment in agricultural assets and technologies; and increasing access to finance and credit. The results for relevant indicator(s) monitored under each sub- head are summarized where available. In other cases, illustrative anecdotal data is provided. 3.3.1 Improving Agricultural Technical and Business Skills LD 33 Number of individuals who have received USG-supported short term agricultural sector productivity or food security training
Table 3.3.1.1: Unique Individual Farmer Trainees, Q2 FY 2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 District Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women
Chipinge 118 110 228 52 152 112 264 58
Chirumhanzu 70 74 144 49 76 85 161 47 Gokwe South 40 65 105 38 72 80 152 47
Gweru 56 39 95 59 36 27 63 57
Kwekwe 23 37 60 38 31 37 68 46
Umzingwane 66 65 131 50 44 33 77 57 Total 373 390 763 49 411 374 785 52 Source: CIRIS During the review period, the program engaged 785 unique beneficiaries (52 percent women) compared to 763 beneficiaries (49 percent women) in the previous quarter. The program continued to deliberately
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intensify and diversify program interventions on existing beneficiaries in order to increase program impact and outcomes. Four hundred and seventy-seven (55 percent women) farmers were trained on beef related topics compared to 598 beneficiaries trained in the previous quarter, a decline of 20 percent (Table 3.3.1.2). The decrease is due to reduced focus on beef related trainings in all dairy areas as the program intensified efforts to expand and improve access to markets by smallholder dairy beneficiaries. The highest proportion of farmers was trained in Chipinge followed by Kwekwe districts which are the programs’ main beef zones (Table 3.3.1.2). Popular beef topics were good animal husbandry practices; fodder production; marketing; disease identification; and control and construction of cattle handling facilities (Table 3.3.1.3).
Table 3.3.1.2: Beef Training by District, Q2 FY2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 District Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Chipinge 117 109 226 52 148 109 257 58 Chirumhanzu 44 49 93 47 26 34 60 43 Gokwe South 10 12 22 45 5 3 8 63 Gweru 51 27 78 65 32 17 49 65 Kwekwe 23 36 59 39 31 37 68 46 Umzingwane 58 62 120 48 20 15 35 57 Total 303 295 598 51 262 215 477 55 Source: CIRIS
Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Subject Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Animal Breeding 21 22 43 49 18 38 56 32 Animal Health 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 50 Artificial Insemination 11 13 24 46 33 9 42 79 Theory/Practical Bull Examination 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cattle and Meat Grading 89 84 173 51 0 8 8 0 Fodder Production 204 175 379 54 182 122 304 60 Husbandry Practices 190 208 398 48 142 133 275 52 Marketing 113 122 235 48 124 84 208 60 Pen Fattening 109 120 229 48 8 6 14 57 Disease Prevention and 72 80 152 47 83 81 164 51 Control Disease Treatment 32 34 66 48 42 43 85 49 Feed Formulation 44 34 78 56 19 19 38 50 Handling Facilities 108 125 233 46 77 78 155 50 Heat Synchronization 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Supplementary Feeding 81 70 151 54 15 16 31 48
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Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Subject Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Urea Treatment of 12 12 0 0 0 0 0 Stover Drought Mitigation 8 13 21 38 32 27 59 54 Strategies Feedlot Post Mortem 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Calf Management 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Other** 10 8 18 56 37 27 64 58 A total of 312 beneficiaries (50 percent women) were trained in dairy related topics, compared to 240 farmers, 46 percent women in the previous quarter, an increase of 30 percent (Table 3.3.1.4). The program continued to identify new dairy aggregators and producers in an effort to increase the volumes of raw milk sold through formal channels.
Table 3.3.1.4: Dairy Training by District, Q2 FY 2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 District Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Chipinge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chirumhanzu 32 30 62 52 52 53 105 50 Gokwe South 37 60 97 38 68 75 143 48 Gweru 5 12 17 29 5 9 14 36 Kwekwe 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Umzingwane 37 26 63 59 30 20 50 60 Total 111 129 240 46 155 157 312 50 Source: CIRIS Popular dairy topics included good animal husbandry practices; fodder production; marketing; disease identification and control; quality control; and construction of cattle handling facilities (Table 3.3.1.5). New dairy farmers received technical training on rearing a milking cow; clean milk production; milk marketing; and disease control. In collaboration with Dairy Services and DVS, the program facilitated for the new farmers to have milk from selected cows sampled and tested for milk quality and contagious abortion- a prerequisite to supplying raw milk to a formal market.
Table 3.3.1.5: Dairy Training by Subject, Q2 FY 2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Subject Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Animal Health 0 0 0 0 6 5 11 55 Artificial Insemination 11 23 34 32 18 10 64 Theory/Practical 28 Calf Management 17 35 52 33 39 31 70 56 Drought Mitigation Strategies 3 0 3 100 9 3 12 75 Feed Formulation 14 13 27 52 0 1 1 0 Fodder Production 87 99 186 47 104 101 205 51
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Table 3.3.1.5: Dairy Training by Subject, Q2 FY 2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Subject Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Handling Facilities 54 65 119 45 77 76 153 50 Heifer Procurement 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Husbandry Practices 74 91 165 45 119 135 254 47
Marketing 64 63 50 96 109 205 47 127 Quality Control 45 58 103 44 66 77 143 46 Supplementary Feeding 19 6 25 76 11 3 14 79 Urea Treatment of Stover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Disease Prevention and Control 34 42 76 45 68 57 125 54 Disease Treatment 4 2 6 67 1 2 3 33 Heat Synchronization 3 6 9 33 5 3 8 63 Bull Examination 1 2 3 33 0 0 0 0 Other** 34 53 87 39 64 65 129 50 Source: CIRIS
Five hundred and twenty-four farmers (52 percent women) were trained on business-related topics compared to 599 (48 percent women) in the previous quarter (Table 3.3.1.6). Chipinge (Manicaland), Chirumhanzu, and Gokwe South (Midlands) had the highest number of farmers attending business skills training. With the introduction of the village milk aggregation models in Chirumanzu and Gokwe South, program facilitated business trainings became popular for improving business skills among potential raw milk suppliers. In Chipinge, many farmers participated in the trainings as they engaged in cattle marketing. Business skills training and technical assistance continued to focus on: Developing skills on enterprise budgeting; recordkeeping; group marketing; market intelligence; and electronic banking. These skills are intended to improve beneficiaries’ planning and decision- making abilities. Facilitating access to finance. Farmers were linked to institutions that provided working and asset capital for inputs and farming equipment, respectively. To build good credit history, farmers received training on credit management, group lending, banking procedures, and electronic banking to ensure timely loan repayments. Contract management. To minimize defaulting, farmers with formal agreements with milk processors were trained on contract specifications to raise awareness of their contractual obligations. Improving market access and strengthening market linkages. Transaction costs were reduced by linking farmer groups to input, output, and financial markets. Beef farmers were linked directly to abattoirs and beef-dairy farmers were linked to MCCs or small scale processors via village aggregators. Table 3.3.1.6 summarizes the number of beneficiaries who received business skills trainings on various subjects, including farmer group organization, recordkeeping, enterprise budgeting, farm planning, credit control, contract management, electronic banking, and group marketing during the review period compared to Q1 FY2019.
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Table 3.3.1.5 : Business Skills Training by District, Q2 FY2019
Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 District % % Female Male Total Female Male Total Women Women
Chipinge 54 55 85 73 158 69 57 126
Chirumhanzu 48 51 60 65 125 66 63 129 Gokwe 39 43 South 30 46 76 48 64 112
Gweru 55 70 35 29 64 16 7 23
Kwekwe 36 46 20 35 55 31 36 67
Umzingwane 49 60 59 62 121 40 27 67 Total 289 310 599 48 270 254 524 52
Table 3.3.1.6 : Business Skills Training by Subject, Q2 FY2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 % % Subject Female Male Total Female Male Total Women Women
Contract Management 36 51 87 41 26 50 76 34
Credit Management 45 31 76 59 56 70 126 44
Farm Planning 65 61 126 52 75 67 142 53
Recordkeeping 128 154 282 45 147 143 290 51
Group Marketing 131 142 273 48 90 65 155 58
Enterprise Budgeting 80 84 164 49 49 38 87 56
Farmer Group Organization 107 121 228 47 96 51 147 65
Capacity Building 50 39 89 56 74 82 156 47 Bank Account Establishment 0 0 0 0 7 6 13 54
Other** 37 43 80 46 60 70 130 46 Source: CIRIS 3.3.2: Promoting Adoption of Improved Technologies and Management Practices EG.3.2-24 Number of individuals in the agriculture system who have applied improved technologies or management practices with USG assistance EG.3.2-28 Number of hectares under improved management practices or technologies that promote improved climate risk reduction and/or natural resources management with USG assistance
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In collaboration with key stakeholders, the program continued to facilitate the promotion and adoption of low to no-cost GAPs and GAHPs, business practices, and technologies that enhance production and productivity; improve natural resources management; and increase resilience to climate shocks. Promotions, training and technical events took cognisance of a whole farm approach and were held at lead farmer-hosted demonstration centers. Technologies and management practices promoted by the program included low-cost maintenance feeding; fodder flow planning, production, harvesting and conservation; appropriate livestock handling facilities; good herd health management practices (vaccinations, deworming, dipping, and disease prevention, control and treatment); hygienic handling of milk, pre- and post-harvest; improved breeding; and calf management: Fodder flow planning, production, harvesting and conservation In the face of a poor cropping season characterized by below normal rainfall the program continued to train beneficiaries on the importance of fodder flow planning, fodder production, harvesting, and conservation in preparation of the lean season. Harvesting of fodder crops and excess grass from the rangeland; salvaging drought affected food crops for fodder; and stockpiling crop residues were the main fodder production activities during the review period. Fodder crops grown included sunflowers, maize, pearl millet, velvet beans, Lab lab, Bana grass, sunn hemp, and sweet sorghum; while crop residues and salvaged wilted crops were from maize, sugar beans, groundnuts, and sorghum. Photo by Fintrac Metron Gavi of Umsungwe Block, Gweru, took advantage Some program beneficiaries in Chirumhanzu, of the January rains to plant star grass and silver leaf in Gweru, and Gokwe South districts have fair to one of her paddocks. good establishments of perennial pasture grasses and legumes, which include star grass, silver leaf desmodium, fine stem stylo, and cassia in their paddocks. A limited number of program beneficiaries took advantage of the rains in January and March to establish these perennial pasture species. Silage was produced from maize, pearl millet, sweet sorghum, and rangeland grasses during the review period. In Umsungwe Block, Gweru, Francisca Paramu constructed a permanent silage pit and ensiled approximately 10 tons of pearl millet in addition to six tons of maize she ensiled in a temporary pit. The silage is sufficient to feed eight milking cows for three months allocating 20 kilograms per cow per day. With proper storage, silage can be stored Photo by Fintrac up to three years with minimum quality losses. Silage is produced from pearl millet at Francisca Paramu’s farm in Gweru.
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“In future I will produce more pearl millet silage because the crop performed beyond my expectation in terms of time to maturity; drought tolerance; yields and nutrient requirements. In just 60 days, I was able to harvest, while maize is still a month away from harvest,” said Paramu.
Millet can be harvested twice – at the early reproductive growth stage and then allowed to re-shoot for seed production. This increases farmer resilience with minimal input required. The program is promoting silage production as one of its low to no-cost interventions for lean season supplementation of beef and dairy cattle. Outlay costs for silage production are minimal, which include polythene plastic sheeting and molasses. In Gokwe South, 34 farmers (10 women) grew 50 hectares of maize for silage and snap corn making. The majority of the early planted crop succumbed to the dry spell and farmers were encouraged to salvage and preserve the crop for livestock feed. The program demonstrated the use of brush cutters as a low-cost and appropriate technology for harvesting hay from the rangeland, paddocks, contour ridges, and fallow lands instead of the slow and laborious method of using sickles. In Chipinge district, 24 farmers harvested and stored 30 tons of hay before the Photo by Fintrac onset of Cyclone Idai. Among them was Ladson Mubonesi bails his Brachiaria grass species hay, which Ledson Mubonesi who harvested and the farmer stores in his stock feed shed (pictured behind him). stored 10 tons. To avoid spoilage from the sun and rains farmers were given training and technical assistance on constructing low to no cost hay and feed storage sheds and where building materials were limiting, farmers were advised to buy plastic sheets for covering the feed. Hay cutting in Chipinge is ongoing as the cyclone induced rains have resulted in significant regrowth of the rangelands.
All Photos by Fintrac Onesimo Mpala of Ward 2 Gweru district (left) gathers hay for supplementing his herd of seven cattle in the upcoming lean season. Moreblessing Mbandidzo of Chipinge district (right) cuts hay using a brush cutter during a program facilitated demonstration.
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Good herd health management The program continued to collaborate with DVS, AGRITEX, producer groups, community based organizations, and private sector companies to empower farmers to take ultimate responsibility of their animal health, especially in the face of a nation-wide collapse in the government run animal health service.
All Photos by Fintrac A farmer carries out a platform test, using the lactometer. Note the puddle and CMT reagent on the left. Tests are conducted to ensure that milk conforms to desirable market standards.
Program trainings and technical assistance focused on equipping farmers with skills and appreciation for adequately providing for primary animal health care. This includes disease identification, prevention, and control (dosing, dipping, and vaccination). The program is encouraging farmers to be proactive on animal health issues by taking initiative and using resources as individuals and in groups to safeguard productivity and reduce herd mortality. In Chipinge district, the Budiriro cattle producer group collectively invested $200 in the procurement of 750 milliliters of Bremamectin,11 an anti-parasitic, to protect their 120 cattle against both internal and external parasites. Hygienic handling of milk: pre- and post-harvest In Chirumhanzu, Gokwe South, Gweru, and Umzingwane districts, program beneficiaries received training and technical assistance on clean milk production, which included basic platform testing by the aggregator
All Photos by Fintrac Sidney Mutodza and his daughter Lydia (left), Gokwe South, showcase their newly constructed upgradable milking parlor. Felistus Gwatipedza’s near-complete milk shed (right) in Chirumanzu.
11 Bremamectin is an Ivermectin® solution, which is an injectable dip and dosing drug, administered under the skin of livestock to control internal parasites (round and tape worms, nematodes, and liver flukes) as well as external parasites (ticks and lice). Compared to the $36 cost of purchasing an antibiotic to treat an infected animal, each dose of vaccine costs only $1.60 per animal.
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before receiving the milk, and basic tests to check udder health, specifically checking for mastitis. In addition, the program continued to facilitate the pre-screening of cows, intended for supplying milk to village aggregators, for contagious abortion by Dairy Services. Contagious abortion testing is a pre- requisite for formal marketing of raw milk. Dairy farmers were also trained on the staggered construction of milking parlors to enhance clean milk production. This involves initial construction of a race to confine the animal on a cement slab. Farmers plan to use proceeds from the sale of the milk to put up the walls and finish off the roof and in some cases, build store rooms. Breeding In collaboration with DVS, AGRITEX, and artificial insemination (AI) service providers from Chipinge, the program continued to implement AI in the selected districts of Chirumhanzu, Chipinge, and Gweru. The districts were selected based on preparedness of the farmers to receive the technology and for logistical reasons. Of the 32 animals (Gweru (12), Chipinge (11) and Chirumhanzu (9) that were inseminated in Q4 FY2018, 16 are in calf, and 3 have Photo by Fintrac calved down. However, two of the calves Victoria Pencil’s newly born AI Brahman cross male calf with the born belonging to lead farmer Victoria dam. Pencil, Chipinge district, succumbed to cold and heavy rains. Three Chirumhanzu farmers from Ward 1 and 11 submitted seven cows for AI and these were successfully inseminated during the review period.
The program also linked eight farmers from Ward 3 Chipinge district to lead farmer Alec Muchini, who owns quality Brahman bulls, for natural breeding of their eight cows.
In Chirumhanzu, Gweru, and Gokwe South districts four farmers purchased improved dairy cattle for breed improvement. Sarah Ndodha, Chirumhanzu district, exchanged her beef cow for a dairy cross cow with a calf at foot. In Gweru district, Francisca Paramu bought two dairy heifers, a Holstein and a Holstein cross Jersey for a total of USD2,500. In Gokwe South, Enock Mlalazi and Cathrine Mbaimbai bought an in calf Jersey cross worth RTGS$1,20012 and a Jersey cross bull worth RTGS$800 respectively from fellow dairy farmers.
3.3.3 Increasing Investment in Agricultural Assets and Technologies Increased investment is the predominate source of economic growth in the agricultural sector. Private sector investment is critical because it indicates that the investment is perceived to provide a positive financial return and therefore is likely to lead to sustainable increases in agricultural production and productivity.
The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program engages and collaborates with private commercial companies to ensure the building of sustainable business relationships among value chain actors. Private sector partners are engaged to finance some developmental facets of the value chain such as technical days to showcase new technologies.
12 The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced the RTGS dollar in February 2019 in an effort to help solve liquidity issues. At the end of March 2019, the exchange rate is RTGS$2.50 per USD.
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The program also encouraged farmers to invest in productive assets for increased production and productivity. Beneficiaries and value chain players received training and technical assistance on how to make good sound investments. EG.3.1-14 Value of new USG commitments and private sector investment leveraged by the USG to support food security and nutrition In Gokwe South, Martin Pepukai a dairy farmer invested $2,500 in a diesel chopper grinder. The investment will help in reducing the drudgery of manual chopping during preparation of animal feed. Previously, Pepukai would use a hand knife to prepare stock feed for supplementing his milking cows. With the new machinery Pepukai is now able to efficiently prepare adequate and quality stock feed for his cows with little effort. Ossie Moyo from Umzingwane, Matabeleland South invested $5,300 in a solar-powered borehole for watering her cattle and market garden. The investment will improve household nutrition and livestock production. Prior to the investment, watering her cattle Photo by Fintrac was a laborious and time-consuming task Martin Pepukai with his diesel powered chopper grinder, involving a two kilometer trek to the nearest Gokwe South, Midlands. water source, which resulted in the animals receiving insufficient daily water requirements. In Chipinge, three female farmers invested $1,550 each in deep wells to improve their access to clean and potable water for livestock and human use. Previously, the farmers were getting water from a congested community borehole at a local primary school, some four kilometers away. The investment will see the farmers getting enough water for their cattle, nutrtion gardens, and orchards. In Gweru, three dairy farmers invested $3,970 in purchasing five 50 liter milking cans. In addition, Zenzele cattle producer group, invested $50 in purchasing construction material for a community cattle loading ramp. During the period under review, the program completed the development of Grants under Contract activities. These activities are intended to be utilized as investment with communities, clients, and beneficiaries to promote increased use of new or improved technologies and practices. The recipients will contribute local materials and fund capital items at a minimum of 40 percent contribution. Beneficiaries are expected to be reached through the Technology Fund mechanism, and activities are expected to be rolled out in Q3 FY2019. LD 18 Number of individuals who have invested in agriculture as a result of USG assistance LD 19 Value of individual investments made in agriculture as a result of USG assistance The program continued to encourage beneficiaries to use part of their proceeds from cattle and milk sales and to borrow funds to invest in assets such as AI; breeding cows and heifers; bulls; hay sheds; milking sheds; milking cans; boreholes; water pumps and related irrigation equipment; deep wells; improved pastures; water reservoirs; fencing; chaff cutters; milk chillers; and cattle handling facilities among other crucial assets for increased production efficiencies.
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Beef farmers are now cognizant of the benefits of investing in more breeding heifers and cows as this ensures sustained herd growth and production of surplus animals for sale. Dairy investments made by beneficiaries have mainly been toward breeding heifers, farm infrastructure, and dairy equipment as more farmers make long term plans to participate and supply the formal markets. The beef-dairy concept and the village aggregation model have opened opportunities to once marginalized farmers to participate in formal milk markets at low entry costs and enjoy new streams of regular income. The opportunities for new income have rekindled efforts to invest in GAPs, GAHPs, and technologies that enhance production and productivity, considering that the country is producing only 50 percent of the national milk requirement. Preliminary results from the first round Annual Household Survey indicate that 1,612 beneficiaries across the six focus districts made investments in agricultural assets and technologies worth $1.27 million during the first half of FY2019 against annual targets of $820,000 and 1,640 beneficiaries. The program is on course to meet its annual targets. 3.3.4 Increasing Access to Finance and Credit Access to credit and finance is essential for commercialization of smallholder beef and dairy farmers as it enables farmers to invest in technologies and management systems that increase production, productivity and meet market standards (quality and safety) leading to increased incomes, food security, and resilience. The lack of access to financial capital is frequently cited as a major impediment to the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), thus helping MSMEs access finance is likely to increase investment and the value of output (production in the case of farmers; and value added for agricultural processing). This will directly contribute to the expansion of markets, increased agricultural productivity, and reduction in the prevalence of poverty. Facilitating access to financial loans for a diverse range of players within the focus value chains will provide improved access to business development and financial services. This in turn will help expand agricultural production, markets, and trade, which will help achieve the key objective of inclusive agriculture sector growth. In turn this contributes to both goals of reducing poverty and hunger. Tracking the amount and flow of capital loans to the diverse players along the beef and dairy value chains helps in determining the direction and level of investment and capital formation, essential attributes for economic growth. The program is working with various financial institutions to increase access to credit by farmers and value chain players. During the review period, the program facilitated farmer engagements with Virl Microfinance, Zimnat Microfinance, Steward Bank, and production productivity lending and savings groups (PPLS). EG.4.2-7 Number of individuals participating in group-based savings, micro-finance or lending programs with USG assistance The program facilitated 58 farmers, 45 percent women to access credit from microfinance institutions, private organisations, and PPLS. While the program managed to facilitate underwriting of 58 loans during the review period, more than 30 loans for borehole drilling, pumps, and solar equipment are in the pipeline for disbursement in the next quarter. Gokwe MCC extended short term working loans, mainly for animal feeds and veterinary drugs to 29 member farmers while Zimnat Microfinance extended loans to four farmers for the purchase of milking cans and in-calf heifers. PPLS extended both working and capital expenditure loans to 25 farmers for the purchase of improved breed weaner heifers, molasses, and veterinary drugs. EG.3.2-27 Value of agriculture – related financing accessed as result of USG assistance
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The total value of loans accessed by the 58 farmers during the review period was $24,62313. Loans were accessed from various sources which include Zimnat Microfinance, Gokwe MCC and PPLS. Zimnat Microfinance extended loans worth $9,500 to four Gweru farmers for the purchase of 50 liter milking cans and two in- calf heifers. The cans were purchased from Kurima Machinery, a private sector company working with the program to bridge the gap of access to appropriate, affordable equipment and technology for smallholder producers in Zimbabwe. Gokwe MCC under its revolving fund extended loans worth $9,531 to its members for feeds and veterinary drugs. PPLS managed to disburse loans worth $1,392 for the purchase of improved weaner heifers, molasses, and veterinary drugs. LD 8 Percent of beneficiaries borrowing at least once to finance the purchase of livestock or other capital investments The number of farmers accessing credit for the purchase of livestock and other capital investment increased to eleven farmers (19 percent of farmers accessing credit) compared to eight farmers (7 percent) achieved in the first quarter. Out of the eleven, seven farmers borrowed for the purchase of beef and dairy heifers while four of them borrowed for the purchase of milking cans. 3.4 IMPROVING NUTRITION AND HYGIENE STATUS This quarter the program continued to integrate hygiene and nutrition-related behavior change activities across its operational areas to ensure Text box 3.4.1.1 Food demonstrations improved nutritional and health outcomes of assist farmers to achieve dietary diversity beneficiary beef and dairy farmers. The activities in one meal. focused on improving the utilization of nutritious Sixty-eight beneficiary farmers from across the foods; increasing the prevalence of breastfeeding; six operating districts participated in simple food improved infant feeding practices; and good hygiene fortification demonstrations to increase the and sanitation practices. All program activities were nutrient density of their meals. Farmers implemented in collaboration with AGRITEX, local participated in making nutrient-dense fritters village health workers, and other NGOs using locally available food sources, including implementing nutrition and WASH activities in the cowpeas, onions, tomatoes, pumpkins, milk, program focus areas. Activities included practical eggs, kale, and chilies. The fritters had a score of seven out of nine food groups. The food demonstrations; group trainings; and technical demonstration emphasized the importance of assistance visits to both lead and mentored farmers’ including products and by-products from homesteads. Activities and results achieved under livestock, such as milk, yoghurt, cream, sour milk, each component during the review period are and whey; as well as meat and eggs as daily summarized below. protein sources. The program also demonstrated how beneficiary farmers can 3.4.1 Improving Utilization of Nutritious Foods ensure easy access to diverse food groups by Utilization of nutritious foods by program growing a variety of nutrient-dense vegetables, beneficiaries during the review period is reported which include leafy vegetables, tomatoes, onions, under the following three indicators: pepper, and beans, and by adopting good animal husbandry practices in rearing small livestock. LD2 Percent of households that consistently consume at least 5 of the 9 food groups14 HL.9.1-c Women’s dietary diversity: Mean number of food groups consumed by women of reproductive age;
13 Pepukai Kondo – a producer group disbursed $4,200 to its 7 members for the purchase of improved beef heifers. 14 The nine food groups are Grains, roots, and tubers; Legumes and nuts; Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese); Organ meat (liver, kidney, intestines, heart, lungs, tripe, brains, etc.); Eggs; Flesh foods (meat) and other misc. small animal protein (edible insects, birds, mice, worms, etc.); Vitamin A rich dark green leafy vegetables (covo, spinach, rape, cabbages, mustard, etc.); Other Vitamin A rich vegetables (carrots, butternuts, amaranthus, black jack, pumpkin leaves, cowpeas leaves, sweet potatoes leaves, etc.) and fruits; Other fruits and vegetables.
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LD 20 Percent of female direct beneficiaries of USG nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities consuming a diet of minimum diversity LD2 Percent of households that consistently consume at least 5 of the 9 food groups The program works with beneficiary livestock farmers and helps them to produce, purchase, and prepare more diverse nutritious foods. Farmers were equipped with the knowledge and skills on good nutrition and diverse foods, encouraging them to gather as well as preserve wild vegetables and rear small livestock. Discussions highlighted the need for farmers to adapt to dry conditions by planting drought tolerant crops to produce and preserve enough food for the lean season in addition to ensuring clean homesteads. The program provided 441 beneficiaries (56 percent women) with nutrition related training and technical assistance during the review period compared to 388 farmers (53 percent women) in the previous quarter (Table 3.4.1.1.) Table 3.4.1.1: Summary of Nutrition Training in Program Areas Q2 FY2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 % District Female Male Total Female Male Total % Women Women Chipinge 62 54 116 53 63 37 100 63 Chirumhanzu 55 51 106 52 50 47 97 52 Gokwe South 4 9 13 31 53 60 113 47 Gweru 29 15 44 66 19 12 31 61 Kwekwe 14 21 35 40 29 15 44 66 Umzingwane 43 31 74 58 35 21 56 63 Total 207 181 388 53 249 192 441 56 Source: CIRIS To promote the consumption of diverse foods, 12 food demonstrations showcasing several nutrient dense food recipes were conducted across the six focus districts during the review p eriod (See Text Box 3.4.1.1.). The program also engaged male gender champions to dispel gender stereotypes on perceived household nutrition and hygiene roles and responsibilities. Gender champions took the lead in practical food demonstrations and raised awareness on the benefits of shared roles and responsibilities to improve household harmony and productivity. Consumption of milk and milk products as well as utilizing milk by-products such as whey was also promoted for improved health. The program continued to promote the whole farm approach to increase household incomes and diverse food sources. Increased incomes enable households to purchase varied foods and to invest in labor and time saving technologies. All farmers were encouraged to adopt the beef- dairy concept to increase household milk production, consumption, and incomes; rear small livestock for cheaper sources of protein; diversify household production of food crops by including legumes and pulses; establish fruit orchards, nutrition, and kitchen gardens for increased access to vitamins and minerals. Irvin Ndlovu from Umzingwane, Matabeleland South established a 0.1 hectare nutrition garden at her homestead to ensure dietary diversity for her household. Ndlovu is growing four of the nine food groups including kale and spinach (vitamin A-rich vegetables); tomatoes and onions (other vegetables); sugar Photo by Fintrac beans and peanuts (legumes and nuts); and maize Preparation of nutrient-dense fritters.
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and sweet potatoes (grains, roots, and tubers). In addition, Ndlovu rears small livestock (goats and chickens), adding a further four food groups: eggs, fleshy meat, organ meat, and milk. Preliminary results from the Annual Household Survey indicated continued improvement in regular consumption of diverse diets among beneficiary households. A total of 73 three percent of households consumed at least 5 out of 9 food groups compared to 65 percent in the previous AHS (FY 2018), and at baseline 7 percent (Table 3.4.1.2). Table 3.4.1.2: Households Consuming Five or More Food Groups by District, Q2 FY 2019 Percentage of HHs consuming five or more food groups District Baseline FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 201915
2% 74% 77% Chipinge 50% Chirumhanzu 0% 38% 58% 63% Gokwe South 18% 32% 68% 67% Gweru - 89% 93% 57% Kwekwe 7% 24% 63% 94% Umzingwane 3% 82% 89% 89% All Districts 7% 54% 65% 73%
LD.34 Prevalence of Women of reproductive age consuming a dietary diversity: The program puts special focus on the nutritional status of women farmers of reproductive age (15-49 years) as they are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies. The program raises awareness on the need for this group to consume varied nutritious diets and encourages fathers to support women of reproductive age to access adequate nutritious foods contributing to improvements in children’s health (from pregnancy to 24 months of age). In the first round of the AHS, 66 percent of women reported regularly consuming a diverse diet compared to 47 percent in FY2018 and against an annual (FY2019) target of 70 percent.
15 Preliminary results from the first round of the Annual Household Survey. The second Household Survey will be conducted in August 2019.
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LD14 Prevalence of children 6-23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet Text box 3.4.1.2: Innovative repurposing of whey set The program is promoting positive to improve overall household nutrition. behavior with regards to the health and nutrition of infants and young Bongiwe Magede from Gokwe South, Midlands has ensured increased protein intake for her household by repurposing children below two years of age. The whey – a watery by-product from the fermentation of milk – first 1,000 days of a child’s life are to formulate a protein-rich non-alcoholic beverage. Magede, critical in enhancing nutrition for a beef farmer transitioning to become a dairy farmer under optimal growth and development, a the program initiated beef-dairy concept, now incorporates milestone in preventing chronic whey into a traditional recipe of fermenting maize meal to malnutrition and stunting. make the traditional beverage, ‘maheu,’ and home-made bread. Currently, Magede is yielding 30 liters of milk per day During the review period 20 farmers, from three cows (two beef and one pure dairy), reserving 80 percent women received training two liters to make natural sour milk for home consumption on minimum acceptable diet (MAD) and farm gate sales. From the two liters reserved for making for infants 6-23 months. Mothers sour milk, Magede now retains the whey, which constitutes were sensitized on the need to two thirds of the fresh milk. The whey protein-fortified beverage is a thirst quencher; meal replacer; and can be fed develop healthy eating habits for their to children over 6 months of age - post exclusive children early in life, and abstain from breastfeeding to avoid stunting from malnutrition. Whereas feeding children unhealthy snacks. the traditional ‘maheu’ beverage has 3 percent crude protein, Awareness was raised on the need to whey fortified ‘maheu’ has 12 percent crude protein. In introduce complementary food to addition, whey adds probiotics, the good type of bacteria that infants after six months, as mothers’ improves digestion and also increases milk supply in milk alone is not enough to keep breastfeeding mothers. The program is now promoting the babies growing. The program innovative whey beverage and home-made bread across all promoted increased consumption operational areas to improve overall household nutrition. milk, milk products, and milk meals for infants and household members to ensure good health (See text 3.4.1.2) 3.4.2 Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding and Infa nt Feeding.
During the review period nursing women farmers of reproductive age were urged to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life. The program continued to target whole family units with messages highlighting how exclusive breastfeeding provides total food security and complete nutrition for babies up to six months of age. To ensure that nursing mothers maintain breast feeding during the laborious summer farming season, the program targeted male beneficiaries and encouraged them to support breastfeeding mothers by producing, purchasing, and keeping a variety of nutritious foods in the home and to ensure that breastfeeding mothers access adequate and Photo by Fintrac balanced diets during the day. Discussions with family Rose Masara from Chipinge supports her members also encouraged the sharing of productive and daughter-in law in exclusive breastfeeding. reproductive roles to reduce arduous tasks for nursing mothers. Results from the preliminary AHS on the proportion of exclusively breast fed babies below six
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months was 96 percent, compared to 83 percent in the previous survey (AHS, FY2018) and against a baseline of 72 percent. 3.4.3. Improving Hygiene Behaviors The program promotes activities that encourage adoption of improved hygiene behaviours such as hand washing at five critical moments using a detergent; proper human waste and household waste disposal; and improving access to adequate and safe drinking water. The program is deliberately targeting women farmers with trainings as they are the custodians of household hygiene. The program also leverages and collaborates with relevant stakeholders such as DLPD, DVS, and MOHCC to promote improved hygiene behaviors. During the review period 114 farmers (54 percent women) were trained on human waste disposal; 143 farmers (62 percent women) were trained on safe household waste disposal; 97 farmers (63 percent women) were trained on safe drinking water; and 202 farmers (57 percent women) were trained on optimal hand washing with soap (Table 3.4.3.1). Table 3.4.3.1: WASH training by Subject, Q2 FY 2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Subject % % Female Male Total Female Male Total Women Women Fly Trap Making 15 11 26 58 14 11 25 56 Key Food Safety Actions 11 18 29 38 34 24 58 59 Optimal Hand Washing 192 146 338 57 115 87 202 57 Safe Sources of Water 22 18 40 55 6 9 15 40 Sanitation 1 2 3 33 12 3 15 80 Treatment of Safe Drinking Water 81 59 140 58 61 36 97 63 Human Waste Disposal 85 78 163 52 62 52 114 54 Safe Household Waste Disposal 93 57 150 62 89 54 143 62 Other* 22 3 25 88 7 5 12 58 Source: CIRIS
LD 3 Percent of households that consistently practice at least 4 out of 6 good hygiene practices The program continued to track progress on adoption of six hygiene behaviors by beneficiary households which include: hand washing with cleansing agent at four critical moments; hand washing stations with cleansing agent and water within 10 paces of latrines; disposal of solid household waste in protected pits; use of recommended water treatment/purification technologies; storage of drinking water in safe containers; and disposal of all feces including children’s in a toilet/latrine. The preliminary results from the AHS (FY2019) indicated that 73 percent of households are practicing at least 4 of 6 good hygiene practices, compared to 67 percent in the previous AHS (2018) and against a baseline of 13 percent.
LD 35: Percent of households washing hands with detergent at 4 critical moments (before preparing food, before eating, after toilet use, after removing diapers) The program continued to provide trainings and technical support for improved optimal hand washing practices among beneficiary households, emphasizing four critical moments (after using the toilet, after
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removing diapers, before eating, and before preparing food) as well as before milking livestock and before breast feeding. Training also involved low cost soap making; and construction of hand washing facilities, not only near the toilet but also near the kitchen, dish washing station, and at the milking parlor. Two hundred and two beneficiaries (57 percent women) received training and technical assistance on optimal hand washing. Thirty-five percent of households who participated in the first round of the AHS reported washing hands with a detergent at four critical moments against a FY2019 target of 40 percent. Sixty-two percent of households had an established hand washing station commonly used by family members with a detergent and water against the FY2019 target of 55 percent. Trainings and technical assistance on low cost soap making were continued to improve access and further promote use of a detergent for hand washing. 3.4.3.1.1. Disposal all feces including children’s in a toilet/latrine.
The program continued to train, offer technical advice, and raise awareness on the adverse effects of open defecation and the need for household sanitation facilities to dispose human waste to reduce incidences of human and livestock diseases. One hundred and fourteen farmers, 54 percent women, were trained on safe disposal of human waste during the review period. The program continued to encourage the construction of low-cost and upgradable toilet structures as a first step towards permanent behavior change as this ensures rapid and spontaneous adoption of the practice among beneficiaries.
After program trainings on good sanitation practices, Gertrude Moyo from Umzingwane, Matabeleland South, invested $120 in the construction of a new toilet. “Thanks to program intervention and trainings on the dangers of open defecation, I have now invested in a new toilet to safeguard my family and cattle,’’ said Moyo. She purchased cement and repurposed stones and low-cost home-made bricks from the old sanitation facility to construct the new structure.
Proper human waste disposal minimizes chances of beef measles in cattle, creating opportunities for farmers to sell their cattle on formal markets where returns are high.
Preliminary results from the first round of FY2019 AHS show that 90 percent of program beneficiaries across the six districts have and are utilizing functional toilets to dispose human waste (including children’s feces). This is up from 46 percent at baseline. The program is targeting 100 percent adoption of this behavior by LOP.
In Chipinge district, Cyclone Idai induced rains and flash floods brought significant challenges and drawbacks to progress made on the adoption of upgradable and conventional sanitation facilities as close to 25 percent of toilets collapsed, while others developed severe cracks making them unsafe for use. The program encouraged farmers to construct low cost upgradable sanitation facilities to ensure continued household hygiene and minimize widespread outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Some farmers were able to re-construct their toilets using salvaged bricks from the destroyed structures.
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All Photos by Fintrac William Pachiti of Chipinge Ward 4’s destroyed sanitation facility as a result of Cyclone Idai (left), and new structure (right).
3.4.3.1.2. Use of recommended water treatment/purification technologies The program continued to urge beneficiary farmers to invest in safe water for household use and for their livestock. The program linked farmers to borehole drilling and deep well construction service providers and MFIs. In Chirumhanzu district, Virl Microfinance engaged farmers for financing borehole drilling, and upgrading and motorizing existing deep wells. Processes are underway to finalize loan disbursements for borehole drilling, pumps, and solar equipment. Beneficiaries in the cyclone-affected district of Chipinge were encouraged to treat drinking water using simple methods such as boiling and aqua tablets to safeguard their families from cholera and other water- borne diseases. 3.5 IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS Partnerships with providers of finance and credit, market actors, other service providers, and development practitioners are a key part of the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s approach to commercialization of small-scale farmers. Engaging commercial companies ensures market-led program interventions and cost-shared alliances to ensure the development of sustainable market actor-to-market actor relationships in the delivery of products and services. The strategy is to engage private sector partners to not only purchase product or supply inputs, but to also embed extension as part of the product delivery. Buyers, input suppliers, and finance institutions have in-house knowledge and expertise in beef and dairy production, quality standards, and market specifications that they can transfer to smallholder producers. Through Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and explanations of mutual benefit, some of the buyers and input suppliers listed in Annexes 3 and 4 continued to build relationships and made business transactions with the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program beneficiaries in target districts during the review period. The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s contract includes a component to build the capacity of local organizations to effectively implement USAID-funded agricultural development activities. Such organizations include LEAD Trust and other organizations partnering with both the Feed
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the Future Zimbabwe Crop Development and Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development programs. Other capacity development support was provided to milk collection centers working with program beneficiaries; village milk aggregators; small scale milk processors; farmer groups; and Internal Savings and Lending (ISALs) and PPLS. Results on the specific capacity development activities carried out with these partner organizations follow below. LD 36 Number of for-profit private enterprises, producer organizations, water users associations, women's groups, trade and business associations, and community-based organizations (CBOs) receiving USG food security related organizational development assistance During the review period, 25 organizations/associations received regular trainings and technical assistance to build their capacity to manage their businesses effectively and efficiently. The organizations included eight village milk aggregators, eight feedlot and cattle marketing groups, four women and PPLS groups, and five private enterprises. Training and technical assistance focused on group, business, and leadership skills; planning (budgeting, action planning, and financial accounting); and marketing (collective input procurement and product consolidation). The highlights of the outcome from these trainings are summarized below: Technical assistance was provided to Molus Meats on viability analysis, market pricing, and input and output service bundling. Prior to its closure in November 2018 it was operating below its slaughter capacity of 25 cattle per day as both farmers and middlemen shunned away due to poor service. The abattoir resumed operations on 30th of March 2019, and improvements as a result of program support will be reported on next quarter. The program collaborated with Micro Plan Financial to redesign its group lending model to the Budiriro Cattle Producer group in Chipinge to ensure minimum default. The producer group members were empowered to self-select members based on ability to repay the loans. The program engaged with the insurance company SATIB Insurance to assist in designing an insurance product for smallholder livestock farmers. Field trips were conducted to do a feasibility study of the new product. Support was provided to Suburban Veterinary Practices, a small scale supplier of veterinary services intending to expand its footprint and outreach to smallholder livestock farmers. Engagement was to assist in designing a ‘livestock health insurance package’ covering preventive and curative services. The program facilitated field trips for conducting feasibility studies for the new product. The program provided capacity building to LEAD Trust M&E personnel to assist them in understanding, developing, designing, and monitoring their indicator on resilience (Resil-a-Ability to recover from shocks and stresses index) - one of the prescribed indicators under the new GFSS set of indicators. The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s M&E team made a presentation on the definition, data collection points, and econometric calculations involved in deriving the index. LEAD Trust will start collecting data and reporting on the new indicator in FY2019. During the reporting period, Venge Stores, a dairy farm and small scale milk processor buying raw milk from producers in Chirumanzu through village aggregators, was linked to Dairiboard Zimbabwe. The intention is to help expand market opportunities for raw milk from both Venge Stores and farmers in Chirumhanzu sustainably. Currently Dairiboard Zimbabwe is operating at 50 percent of its installed capacity. The eight village milk aggregators from Gokwe South, Chirumhanzu, Umzingwane, and Gweru and the dairy aggregator groups continued to receive technical assistance on dairy enterprise budgets under the village aggregator marketing model; basic accounting skills;
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producer database management; recordkeeping; budgeting; profit and loss accounts; negotiation skills; farmer group organization; and basic business ethics including customer care and good interpersonal skills. The milk aggregators were also provided with technical assistance on hygienic handling of milk; setting up business records; conducting break-even analysis; and mobilizing suppliers to produce milk volumes high enough to cover operational costs and achieve a profit margin of at least 10-15 percent. Eight beef producer groups received trainings on action planning, record keeping, and off the range cattle marketing. The program is promoting action planning among producer groups to improve their capacity to monitor, evaluate, and coordinate their activities with minimum program supervision. The program worked with four PPLS and women groups, focusing on strengthening the PPLS model by promoting increased male inclusion, improving negotiation, and business skills. The groups have been empowered to respond to the prevailing hyper-inflation conditions and have resorted to saving and lending money in foreign currency, which is relatively stable compared to the local currency. The groups were encouraged to continue using group savings to finance adoption of livestock GAPs and GAHPs.
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4. ENVIRONMENT This section summarizes Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development’s environmental mitigation and adaptation interventions during the review period, particularly as they relate to climate change. The program seeks to enhance environmental stewardship through regular assessments of beneficiary activities, trainings aimed at fostering good environmental care, reduction in environmental damage, and improvements in the personal safety of farmers through safe use of chemicals, PPE, and safe disposal of used chemical containers. Commercialization underpins all program activities, and therefore the environment strategy focuses on profitable and sustainable agricultural production, which in itself is a key adaptation to any climatic change. In addition, all program activities are based on good animal, agricultural, and business practices that have positive environmental outcomes and are designed to minimize and/or mitigate any negative effects on the environment. All program interventions are screened for compliance with US government and Zimbabwean environmental, agrochemical, and food safety regulations and are designed to have a positive impact on the environment. Specific NRM related activities in the reporting period included: Tree planting: The program continued to promote the establishment and maintenance of woodlots, orchards, and fodder trees taking advantage of the rainy season. However, because of the long dry spells most planted trees were predisposed to termite attacks hence farmers were trained on prevention of termite attack using Imidacloprid®. Rotational overnight or moveable pens: Foot rot disease has been a major challenge for program beneficiaries during the rainy season, as cattle are confined in muddy kraals overnight. The program promoted the construction of three cross sectional pens, overnight, and moveable pens. These pens enable cattle to be rotated to different sections where mud is minimal. Rotational overnight pens were promoted in all program areas to ensure cattle were more comfortable and less susceptible to foot rot. In addition, moveable pens help break the fly breeding cycle and minimize foul odors that characterize overnight pens under muddy conditions. Farmers noticed the economic advantage of adopting the technology by constructing the pens in their arable lands to enhance soil fertility from cattle manure. Samukele Masukume of Gokwe South has been practicing a three week rotation on his 0.8 hectare field since adoption in FY2018. This agricultural season Masukume will more than double his yield from 0.7 to 2 tonnes of maize due to enhanced fertility.
All Photos by Fintrac Samukele Masukume’s maize field without moveable kraaling (HLLM) practice (left), and his maize field improved by moveable kraaling (HLLM) practice (right).
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Rangeland management: The current drought has made the rangelands vulnerable to overgrazing and possible soil erosion hence farmers were encouraged to destock to reduce pressure on the rangeland. Farmers were also encouraged to gather and stock herbage of failed crops such as maize for supplementary feeding of their cattle. PPE: The reporting period coincides with the cotton growing season, which is associated with significant use of chemicals. Farmers were trained on environmental management with the objective of avoiding contamination and harm to users. Program beneficiaries were encouraged to use personal protective clothing to guard against health or safety risks during chemical spraying and handling operations. Women were also encouraged to improvise and ensure minimum exposure and contamination of any body parts to chemicals regardless of their gender norms and opposition to wearing work suits and gumboots. Fly control: The review period coincided with the wet conditions which are ideal for fly breeding, and high fly populations were observed in overnight pens, feedlots, milking parlors, and calf pens. The challenge is greater when the cattle facilities are located close to homesteads. The program continued to promote the use of homemade but effective fly traps. Dairy farmers producing and selling milk and milk aggregators were encouraged to routinely service their fly traps for a hygienic milking environment. The program encouraged farmers to erect fly traps around milking parlors, cattle pens, toilet facilities, and dish washing stations.
Soil erosion: Smallholder farmers in all program areas were encouraged to repair and construct contours and storm drains. Farmers were also encouraged to plant Star, Kuchi, and vetiver grasses - all deep rooted tough perennial grasses - along drainage lines. Planting of grass along waterways anchors and protects the top soil. Farmers were urged to continue maintaining culverts and tracks to minimize the erosive power of runoff water. Chipinge district was hit by Cyclone Idai at the end of the reporting period. The operational wards that were seriously affected are wards 1, 3, 4, 16, and 20. Critical soil erosion cases were witnessed as roads, houses, fields, and crops were destroyed by the rains, floods, and mudslides. A significant number of livestock (including cattle) were swept away by the floods.
4.1 TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The program trained 277 beneficiaries, 48 percent women, in environmental subjects during the review period compared to 290 in Q1 FY2019. Most popular subjects were woodlot and/or orchard establishment; and safe disposal of chemical containers; and use of personal protective equipment when spraying chemicals (Table 4.1.1).
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Table 4.1.21: Environment training by Subject, Q2, FY2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Subject % % Female Male Total Female Male Total Women Women Afforestation 5 3 8 63 0 0 0 0
Climate Change 14 37 51 27 29 28 57 51 Personal Protective Equipment 41 27 68 60 33 27 60 55
Pollution 16 15 31 52 10 5 15 67 Safe Disposal of Chemicals and Chemical containers 52 38 90 58 48 75 123 39
Soil Erosion 10 14 24 42 31 36 67 46 Woodlot/Orchard 116 86 202 57 Establishment 73 68 141 52 Other* 0 0 0 0 1 6 7 0 Source: CIRIS
The program continued to sensitize farmers on the aspects of use of PERSUAP compliant chemicals. Safe handling, use, and disposal of chemicals also became pertinent as the program was promoting on-farm tick control using knapsack sprayers. Beneficiaries growing cotton were intentionally targeted with this messaging due to the high use of pesticides in cotton production. 4.2 EMMP The program monitored the progress of a random sample of 121 beneficiary household farms (86 beef and 35 dairy households) to assess for EMMP compliance. Data collection was conducted in April 2019 by program trained enumerators using mobile data collection platform. The following sections summarize the findings from the assessments on topics covering: animal husbandry, animal health, and animal handling facilities.
4.2.1. Animal Husbandry Activities
Table 4.2.1: Animal Husbandry Activities % % Q4 FY % Q2 FY % Q4 FY % Q2 FY % Baseline Baseline 2018 2019 2018 2019 Activity Practice- Practice Practice- Practice- Practice- Practice- Dairy -Beef Beef Beef Dairy Dairy 28 17 Is soil erosion a problem? 46 32 29 6 Are there signs of land 37 57 68 49 47 58 degradation/overgrazing? Are there signs of 38 66 56 47 35 68 deforestation? Is grazing management 80 51 26 81 20 35 being practiced? Does the farmer have a 90 66 woodlot/tree planting 9 79 47 61 area?
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The program’s continued approach to integrate environmental and natural resource management issues with technical training and assistance has been instrumental in reducing incidences of soil erosion across both beef and dairy areas. However, dairy areas had a significant increase in incidences of soil erosion which is attributed to increased deforestation contributed by the resettlement of households by local leaders in communal grazing lands, specifically in Gokwe district. In beef areas, there were reductions in cases of land degradation and deforestation. Farmers continue to heed program advice to establish Photo by Fintrac Tungwa Mhlanga in Chipinge district stands in his woodlots and orchards with multipurpose trees to mulberry orchard – planted from cuttings in 2016 provide food for humans and feed for livestock. – which are now bearing fruits for his family.
4.2.2: Animal Health Activities
Table 4.2.2: Animal Health Activities % Q4 FY % Q2 FY % % Q4 FY % Q2 FY % Baseline 2018 2019 Baseline 2018 2019 Activity Practice- Practice- Practice- Practice- Practice- Practice- Beef Beef Beef Dairy Dairy Dairy Farmers using dips/chemical 98 94 100 99 94 94 remedies? Farmers/Institutions using 95 94 appropriate 78 99 82 97 techniques/equipment? Farmers/Institutions with PPEs 92 94 58 91 65 94 and use it when spraying? Farmers/Institutions engaging a 74 63 5 66 20 65 trained applicator? Farmers/Institutions with 95 91 chemicals/spraying equipment 67 93 56 84 locked and in labeled containers? Farmers/Institutions disposing 95 97 chemical containers, injections, 76 99 65 100 plastics correctly? Farmers/Institutions using 87 97 pesticides that are PERSUAP 83 89 82 100 complaint? Program beneficiaries have realized the economic value of their herd and are taking a proactive role in maintaining a healthy herd. Farmers continue to increase their proficiency in identifying diseases and administering veterinary drugs and chemicals at household level. Farmers are complementing the inefficient efforts by government run dip tanks that are inconsistent by administering dips using knapsack sprayers at household level. Most lead farmers are technically equipped and are serving as paravets in their wards with the supervision of program staff. This resulted in a general increase in engagement of trained applicators by farmers. The program continued to sensitize farmers in the use PERSUAP compliant chemicals to administer to their livestock and cropping fields. The program has observed that over 85 percent of program beneficiaries are using program recommended chemicals; using PPE; and disposing
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chemical containers, injections, and plastics correctly after use. This is an indication that program trainings on safe use and handling of chemicals have been effective. A slight decrease in the use of PERSUAP compliant acaricides is attributed to the cotton growing season where the program has little influence on what is prescribed by contractors. The program, however, will continue to engage other stakeholders on the dangers of using toxic chemicals. 4.2.3: Animal Handling Facilities
Table 4.2.3: Animal Handling Facilities % % Q4 % Q2 FY % Q4 FY % Q2 FY % Baseline Baseline FY 2018 2019 2018 2019 Activity Practice- Practice- Practice Practice- Practice- Practice- Dairy Beef -Beef Beef Dairy Dairy Farmers with handling facilities 86 80 86 78 87 87 sited >30m from dwellings Farmers/Institutions with water 94 89 runoff from facilities diverted 95 94 93 81 away from dwellings Farmers/institutes with water 98 100 source (borehole, well) >30m 95 96 92 100 from livestock facilities Farmers/Institutions with 98 100 separate access to water for 75 99 46 98 humans and animals Farmers/Institutions with area 36 34 32 42 23 29 around water source degraded 77 77 Farmers using fly traps 5 71 7 80
Farmers usually consider security of their livestock to be the highest priority when deciding where to locate overnight pens and therefore want them to be as close to the homestead as possible to prevent incidences of stock theft or predation. As a result, they tend to ignore environmental hazards of locating livestock facilities nearby their homes. In Chipinge, Laina Mangwayana lost her cattle, which were tied on poles near her homestead, to theft. The program is encouraging farmers to construct standard cattle handling facilities and also use ear tags for unique identification which also helps in investigations especially when tragedy strikes. The program continues to promote proper consideration of environmental hazards by farmers when siting cattle handling facilities. Adequate drinking water for livestock was available in all areas as the rains filled up some seasonal streams and water bodies. Thus, in all cases humans and livestock have separate water points.
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5. GENDER The Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program promotes equal participation of female and male Text Box 5.1: Male gender champion farmers to ensure maximum benefits for beneficiary demystifies gender stereotypes in households. The program approach enhances stronger household food preparation family unity and harmony in livestock production by promoting farming as a family business and improving the skills, resources and opportunities of all family members to participate in beef and dairy value chains. During the review period, the program reached out to 411 (52 percent women) beneficiary farmers. The program intensified outreach to women beneficiaries and has surpassed the LOP target of at least 50 percent of women participating in program activities. Women and youth’s economic empowerment, gender integration, and inclusive participation in program activities is tracked and reported through the custom indicator LD 37; disaggregated gender data in knowledge and skills In Gweru, Midlands, Favi Sibanda set an example training, access to credit, access to markets, ownership for his male counterparts after showcasing his of productive assets and decision-making. Summarized skills in household food preparation during a food demonstration hosted at his homestead, below are the program’s achievements during the review contrary to stereotypes that such tasks are period. reserved for women and girls. Sibanda is one of 5.1 WOMEN LEADERS IN LIVESTOCK the program-trained gender champions equipped with knowledge to transform gender PRODUCTION stereotypes and advocate for gender-equitable LD 37: Percent of female program beneficiaries in relevant practices in households and in livestock leadership positions production. “I used to think cattle production is male business, and cooking is reserved for During the quarter, 52 percent of female farmers were women,” said Sibanda. “I now know better, and occupying leadership positions, compared to 50 percent through the program trainings, my wife knows a in the previous quarter. Female leaders are either lead lot about cattle, and I enjoy helping in the kitchen.” In its quest to transform sociocultural farmers hosting centres of excellence or hold offices beliefs around gender roles in livestock within farmer groups (MCCs, pen fattening and production, the program is actively working marketing groups, and producer associations). with at least one gender champion per ward Despite challenges of societal norms that promote male from across the 34 operational wards. domination in livestock production, female livestock farmers continue to excel, have increased presence and are showing more effective leadership in production. To achieve this, the program integrates gender and inclusion messages in all livestock production activities. The program also engages with male champions to demystify gender stereotypes in program activities, (See text box 5.1). 5.2 WOMEN AND YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TRAINING The program gives priority to improving the knowledge and technical skills of female and youth farmers for increased production and productivity. In addition to engaging with women and youth, the program raises awareness and develops the skills of staff, private and public partners and other stakeholders to integrate gender in their activities. During the review period two trainings of trainers (TOT) were
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conducted with all program field staff on gender mainstreaming and development of inclusive beef and dairy value chains. This equipped and reinforced staff with the knowledge and skills to promote inclusion of women and young people in livestock production. During this review period 506 farmers (53 percent women) received training on women and youth empowerment compared to 461 (53 percent women) in the previous period. Thirty-five farmers (77 percent women) were trained on leadership and conflict resolution and 256 (50 percent women) farmers on gender concepts (Table 5.2.1). Table 5.2.1: Gender and Youth Training by Subject, Q2 FY 2019 Q1 FY 2019 Q2 FY 2019 Training Subject Female Male Total % Women Female Male Total % Women Gender 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 100 Mainstreaming Women and Youth 244 217 461 53 269 237 506 53 Empowerment Gender Concepts 88 108 196 45 128 128 256 50 Leadership and 15 12 27 56 27 8 35 77 Conflict Resolution Other* 18 25 43 42 37 25 62 60 Source: CIRIS
Beneficiary beef and dairy female and youth farmers participated Text Box 5.2.2: Female farmer adopts fodder production for in program activities, which increased dairy performance included training and technical In Umsungwe Block in the Midlands, Metron Gavi has demarcated about 3 assistance on GAPs; GAHPs; hectares of her land into a paddock for grazing her lactating and pregnant cows and accessing new markets, during the lean season. The paddocks were fortified with palatable grasses, credit, inputs, and technology star grass and silver leaf, to improve pasture productivity and increase carrying (See Text Box 5.2.2). capacity. Transitioning to become a dairy farmer under the program-initiated beef-dairy concept, Gavi started off milking three beef cows, which yielded 5 5.2.2 Youth Participation liters per day at an average of 1.7 liters per cow. Through adoption of good The program works with youth animal husbandry practices to include supplementary feeding, use of dairy (15-35 years) to help them meal, good milking techniques, and provision of an adlib supply of water, Gavi’s seven beef cows now produce an average of 5 liters per cow per day, earning identify gainful entrepreneurship her more than RTGS$1,000 in gross income from informal milk sales every opportunities in beef and dairy month. “Last year I had insufficient feed reserves [and] hence relied a lot on value chains. The approach buying commercial feed, and it had a negative effect on my income,” said Gavi, engages youth farmers to view who has since planted nearly a hectare of silage maize, pearl millet, and velvet agribusiness as a career and beans. To improve productivity and quality, Gavi has inseminated her five provides targeted trainings to milking cows with superior Holstein dairy semen. The program encourages improve skills, knowledge and farmers to establish paddocks, as they are a source of cheap, consistent dry information in technical, matter; allow animals to graze in monitored confinements and therefore avoid leadership, and business skills travelling for long distances in search of pastures; and help to curb pasture (See text box 5.2.3). degradation by preventing overgrazing.
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Youth beneficiaries are involved as primary producers, animal health service providers, transporters, aggregators of produce, and employees. This quarter the proportion of youth beneficiaries reached by program activities was 16 percent.
Text Box 5.2.3: Youth excelling in dairy businesses
Lizzie Mlotswa (30 years), a young dairy farmer from Gokwe, is empowered and benefiting from gainful employment at the Gokwe MCC. Mlotswa, who comes from a family of dairy farmers was excited when the opportunity for employment at the local MCC presented itself. The young dairy farmer was trained in milk processing, packaging, milk culture hygiene and cleaning. The programs works with private partners and organizations in the dairy and beef value chains and mainstreams gender and youth inclusion to help them to see the potential of youthful farmers in value chains. “I am grateful for all the trainings and am confident of eventually starting my own small milk processing business,” said Mlotswa. “I will use this opportunity to grow my dairy herd and milk production.” In Chirumhanzu, Midlands, increased incomes from informal milk sales due to adoption of the program initiated beef-dairy model have inspired 30-year-old Anthony Gundumure to consider a career path in dairy. Prior to joining the program, Gundumure was biased toward scouting for a ‘regular’ job in the city. “I never thought I would be a dairy farmer. I am encouraging other youth to join and I am confident that I can earn more money and increase my herd without looking for odd jobs in town,” said Gundumure. He is currently yielding an average of 10 liters per day from his four beef cows, earning an average monthly income of $60. To ensure continuous milk supply, particularly during the lean season when milk productivity decreases, Gundumure has established a supply of velvet bean and sunn hemp crop on his farm, covering 0.2 hectares. The program is working with women and youth to improve their economic opportunities by developing their entrepreneurial skills and linking them with financiers as well as input and output markets. By the end of FY2018, 21 percent (554) of program beneficiaries were youth.
5.3 DECISION-MAKING This quarter, the program intensified efforts to increase women decision making power from the home, in farmer groups and in livestock production. Farmers were trained on women and youth empowerment, gender concepts, leadership, and conflict resolution, and production and business skills. In addition, the program promoted social inclusion to increase participation of women in decision making, contributing to household welfare, food security, and resilience. The program uses the AHS to track participation of women in decision-making in livestock production among beneficiary households. Results from the AHS indicated that 90 percent of female beneficiaries were involved in making decisions on cattle production and marketing compared to 87 percent in FY2018. 5.4 INVESTMENT AND OWNERSHIP OF PRODUCTIVE ASSETS The program continues its work with farmers to enable them to access, control, and own productive assets as a pathway to increased production and productivity, incomes, and sustainability. During the review period, the program trained beef and dairy farmers 506, women were 53 percent to invest in agricultural capital assets and encouraged increased ownership and control of assets by female farmers. The program used behaviour change communication to promote joint ownership of cattle and productive assets as a way to increase women’s access to and control of assets. With regards to cattle ownership, preliminary survey results showed that 34 percent of cattle owners across the six operational districts were women. Preliminary survey results showed that 762 women farmers invested $0.43 million in livestock, machinery, and equipment and irrigation infrastructure. Investment in productive assets or income generating
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activities by women increases opportunities for control of productive assets by women and future cash inflows– thus women empowering 5.4.1 Good animal husbandry practices help female farmer to own assets Sarah Ndodha joined the program with no cattle of her own but is now the proud owner of three heifers through program support. Sarah informed participants that the program has taught her that despite being a widow and female farmer that courage, commitment, and hard work pays. “I am very confident in dairy farming and the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program gave me the knowledge and skills in good animal husbandry practices that made me the winner of three heifers worth $3,000 each from a government-funded heifer loan scheme,” she said. “The selection process was thorough, and I am one of only two farmers in the whole district who won.” According to Ndodha, her win inspired other farmers, particularly women, to adopt GAHPs. 5.5 ACCESS TO FINANCE The program maintained its focus on improving women’s access to finance from MFI and PPLS groups as a key factor in empowering women and increasing household resilience. The program promotes saving and lending groups (PPLS group) among beneficiary farmers to build up their financial capital and as a reliable and flexible source of funds for livestock activities. During the review period, the program facilitated 26 female farmers to access loans worth $11,945 from financiers (MFIs, MCC and PPLS groups). Thirteen women accessed loans worth $1,392 from three program initiated PPLS. The loans were used for purchasing stock feed, veterinary drugs, and in-calf heifers. The savings and lending groups continue to be popular among women farmers and to date the program has worked with 12 groups. In light of the prevailing economic situation the groups are now increasingly opting to save their money in hard currency. 5.6 ACCESS TO MARKETS This quarter, the program linked 127 beneficiary farmers to new and existing networks of formal output markets. A total of 42 beef farmers, 36 percent women, were linked to formal markets, while in dairy, women constituted 47 percent of the 85 dairy producers who were linked to formal markets. Female farmers linked to these formal markets sold cattle worth $11,740 while female dairy farmers sold raw milk worth $45,695 during the review period. 5.7 AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS To increase awareness on International Women's Day which is held annually on the 8th of March, the program dedicated the whole month of March 2019 to celebrate success of women in livestock and hosted six technical days among beneficiary farmers, across the program focus areas (See Annex 1: Women Championing Livestock Production). The technical days were hosted by female lead farmers to celebrate the amazing work being done in livestock production by female beef and dairy farmers. The technical days were attended by farmers, stakeholders from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate, and Rural Photo by Fintrac Resettlement, Ministry of Local Government, Some of the attendees at International Women’s Day Ministry of Women affairs, private sector celebrations held at Sarah Ndodha’s homestead. partners, MFIs and USAID. The events
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showcased beneficiary female farmers’ excellence in the village aggregation model; beef dairy model; fodder production and commercialization under the global International Women’s Day campaign theme for 2019, #BalanceforBetter.
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6. LESSONS LEARNED The main lessons learned during program implementation and mitigation steps taken during the quarter were: Linking smallholder farmers to sustainable and profitable formal markets is essential for commercializing beef and dairy enterprises. However, without simultaneous market development activities at the micro, meso and macro levels, bottlenecks will develop along the value chains regressing commercialization. Having linked communal dairy farmers in Chirumhanzu with locally based buyers and a processor, market saturation soon ensued reversing the commercialization gains at farm, aggregator and processor levels. The program has continued to explore expansion of market opportunities by engaging and facilitating linkages of Dairibord with farmers, aggregators and the small-scale processor. Smallholder farmers are rational in their dealings and are quick to adapt to economic changes and shifts. In the face of the hyperinflationary environment beneficiaries are quickly converting their earnings and savings into more stable currencies such as USD and Rands. Cattle nutrition is essential for the success, commercialization, and sustainability of any dairy and beef production system among smallholder farmers. Fodder production, harvesting and preservation as well as stockpiling of locally available materials such as hay, crop residues and nutritious tree pods increase herd production and productivity and also improve resilience in the face of drought. The program is training farmers on fodder flow planning; fodder production, and conservation; use of low-cost locally available feed from the rangelands; beneficiation of crop residues; and judicious supplementation using the limited feed quantities. Smallholder beef and dairy farmers across the six operational districts are eager and willing to invest in productive assets such as breeding stock, boreholes, deep wells, and machinery when linked to markets – i.e., when shown the money. Beneficiaries are investing proceeds from cropping and livestock sales in production and productivity enhancing technologies and equipment.
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7. CHALLENGES The main strategic challenges facing the development of smallholder farmers’ beef and dairy agribusinesses hence affecting program implementation were: • El-Niño induced drought resulted in widespread crop failure, early drying out of most water sources and poor performance of the rangeland. In Chipinge district, Cyclone Idai caused extensive damage to infrastructure and losses of crops, livestock, human lives and assets. Both shocks resulted in major drawbacks to adoption of program trained interventions, however they also provided an opportunity to check the program beneficiaries’ resilience to shocks. Beneficiaries across program sites showed significant resilience as they replanted some of their food and fodder crops; planted drought tolerant crops; adopted drought mitigation strategies including fodder conservation and preservation, failed crop conservation, silage making, hay cutting and storage; and sold their cattle off the rangeland and used the proceeds to refurbish destroyed infrastructure, invest in capital assets, buy livestock feed, drugs, and cater for household nutrition (See Annex 1: Productive Cattle Herd Helps Family Overcome Life’s Obstacles). • Devaluation of the local currency set into motion inflationary pressures which resulted in some farmers abandoning their plans to invest in production and productivity enhancing assets such as boreholes. Farmers struggled to understand the new price regimes. Farmers were trained to be info-preneurs and were sensitized to keep abreast or do continuous environmental scans on input costs and product prices. Farmers were encouraged to sell off their cattle once they had clear plans of utilizing the sales proceeds to avoid losses. For investments that have a time lag, farmers were encouraged to convert their hard earned incomes into more stable currencies such as USD.
• Shallow markets for dairy products in Chirumhanzu and Umzingwane resulted in disruption of the beef-dairy and aggregator models as demand for raw milk was intermittent due to saturation. The program has facilitated the engagement of the smallholder producers, aggregators, and processor with larger dairy processors in Gweru and Bulawayo.
• Tick borne diseases remained the biggest challenge in all program areas due to the favorable tick breeding conditions and the breakdown in the government managed dipping services as a result of lack of resources to purchase adequate acaricides. The program is encouraging beneficiaries to practice on-farm tick control using PERSUAP compliant chemicals applied with knapsack sprayers to minimize livestock loss from tick-borne diseases. The program also focused on empowering farmers to take ultimate responsibility of their animal health and to mobilize individual or group resources to safeguard productivity and reduce herd mortality, 87 percent of beef beneficiaries and 97 percent of dairy beneficiaries are using knapsack sprayers to dip their cattle on-farm using PERSUAP compliant chemicals.
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8. ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR NEXT QUARTER As the program is in its 4th year, efforts will be to consolidate, intensify and diversify program trainings, technical assistance, linkages to credit, input and output markets on program beneficiaries. As part of its exit strategy, the program will be focusing on building and increasing direct farmer–private sector interactions to ensure sustainability of program interventions. Specific activities planned for the next quarter will therefore include:
Rolling out the Grants under Contract (GUC) activities. Identification and strengthening of new and existing ISALs and/or PPLS and continued engagement of MFIs for increased and inclusive financial access. Increased engagement for private-sector led trainings and technical assistance on production and productivity enhancing GAPs, GAHPs and business skills. Identifying and strengthening new and existing aggregators (beef & dairy) through training and technical assistance on enterprise budgets; break-even analysis; basic accounting skills; producer database management; setting up business records; budgeting; profit and loss accounts; negotiation skills; farmer group organization; and basic business ethics including customer care and good interpersonal skills. Technical assistance on hygienic handling of milk; conducting, and mobilizing suppliers to produce critical milk volumes to cover operational costs and achieve profits. Facilitating exchange visits to increase farmer-to-farmer and farmer-to-market-actor interactions and information sharing. Continue using the lead farmer approach in providing gender, environment, nutrition and WASH activities across the program focus areas.
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ANNEX 1: SNAPSHOTS
Productive Cattle Herd Helps Family Overcome Life’s Obstacles
Lovemore Mahesi is a smallholder livestock farmer from Chipinge Manicaland. For years he struggled to feed the six members of his family from the meager income he earned from his small herd. Without technical skills or training, he was ill-equipped to grow his herd or improve their health to fetch better prices on the market, no matter how badly he wanted to improve his farming capacity. Unknown to Mahesi, no major costs were required to turn his herd around. All that he needed was knowledge and implementation of low-cost good cattle management practices plus business intelligence. An encounter with the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program in May 2016 was his turning point. At the time, he had six cattle with only two cows that produced calves every two or three years. Through training and technical assistance, Mahesi learned that if his herd was going to grow, he needed to make important decisions to rationalize his herd by getting rid of all unproductive animals and replacing them with quality breeding females. He sold an old ox in 2016, earning $741 that he used to purchase two in-calf cows. The cows produced two female calves within that same year, encouraging Mahesi to sell another ox the following year, which earned him an additional $800. This enabled him to repeat the investment cycle. Within three years of executing the business practice, coupled with the organic herd growth, Mahesi almost quadrupled his herd from six cattle, mostly male, to 22 cattle – 73 percent of which are productive females. Now, selling at least one cattle every year to meet his household needs, is possible for Mahesi. In addition to being able to plan for and withstand the drought conditions that are characteristic of Chipinge, Mahesi was able to rebound from the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Idai.
“I am grateful for this program’s practical life- “I am grateful for this program’s practical life-changing lessons on smallholder livestock farming. While everyone is bemoaning the ravaging effects of Cyclone changing lessons on smallholder livestock Idai and the hot, dry spells characteristic of Chipinge, I’m happy because I sold farming. While everyone is bemoaning the two cattle out of my herd of 22,” said Mahesi. ravaging effects of Cyclone Idai and the hot, He plans to use the proceeds from his sale for school fees for his four children, dry spells characteristic of Chipinge, I’m happy food, and home renovations. because I sold two cattle out of my herd of Since working with Feed the Future, Mahesi has learned to plant drought- 22.” tolerant fodder and food crops such as millet, sorghum, and velvet bean to safeguard his livestock and household food requirements. So far, his yields have Lovemore Mahesi, been encouraging. In the latest 2017-2018 season, Mahesi harvested more than a ton of grains from millet and sorghum and hay from the velvet bean crop for Smallholder beef farmer his cows. Strengthening the ability of smallholder farmers such as Mahesi is among the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program’s chief goals. The program utilizes a whole farm approach to livestock production that strengthens on-farm crop and livestock activities to ensure beneficiaries are resilient. The program trains farmers to adopt good animal husbandry practices to increase overall herd productivity and ensures they are linked to formal markets for the sale of their cattle to realize better incomes.
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Women Champion Livestock Production Rural women often take lead, though underappreciated, roles in household agricultural activities. To acknowledge their work and inspire other women in livestock production, the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program dedicated March 2019 to highlighting female beneficiaries’ successes. Celebrated in conjunction with the International Women’s Day 2019 theme #BalanceforBetter, the program hosted six technical days across all districts during which female farmers shared their stories with fellow farmers, government representatives, and private sector stakeholders. In Chirumhanzu, Midlands, village milk aggregator Sarah Ndodha shared her story with 33 participants, 64 percent women, on how the aggregation model is changing her life one liter of milk at a time. Ndodha is collecting 510 liters of milk per month on average from seven producers and selling Photo by Fintrac to local processers, earning her $510 monthly. Some of the attendees at International Women’s Day celebrations held at Sarah Ndodha’s “The [Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development] program homestead. showed me how to earn a second income through milk aggregation,” Ndodha said. “I am now able to pay school fees for my son, buy different types of food in bulk, and veterinary drugs and feed for my animals.” In addition, Ndodha now has three cattle (each valued at $3,000) thanks to adopting good animal husbandry practices that qualified her for a government-funded heifer loan scheme. Similarly, in Gokwe South, Midlands, village milk aggregator Siyengiwe Machina, who invested $1,630 in a gas chiller last year, is celebrated within her community for bridging the market gap. Machina has aggregated 876 liters from six local suppliers from January to March 2019, generating $878. Her suppliers, who are mostly female and new to dairy farming, are excited about the opportunity to access a formal market. “Our greatest achievement is the formation of this dairy producer group and access to a reliable market. We can now increase our milk production knowing there is demand and we can earn income from milk,” said one of Machina’s suppliers, Tendai Shoko. Mediline Magutshwa from Umzingwane, Matabeleland South is also earning a steady income thanks to the village milk aggregation model. A top producer delivering 5 liters per day from her two beef cows to village milk aggregator Dzingirai Juwere, Magutshwa has adopted good livestock practices in dairy production including animal health, fodder production, feeding regimes, and low-cost feed formulations to increase milk production. By encouraging women to partake in technical livestock issues and increase overall farm productivity, families working with the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development program are more resilient, earn increased incomes, are food secure, and are improving their household nutritional statuses. Of the 6,949 individual farmers the program has worked with during the since inception, 46 percent are women. Trends of incomes earned by women continue to increase since program inception from a baseline of $290 to $1,048 in FY2018.
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ANNEX 2. FTFZ-LD ILLUSTRATIVE INDICATORS
Indicator FY2019 Q2 FY 2019 Indicator Baseline Disaggregate Total Unit Source Target Achieved 0 Total 3,600 78516 1,26417 Number of individuals participating in Individual 1 EG.3-2 0 Beef 2,600 49818 885 USG food security programs participants 0 Dairy 1,000 28719 379 Estimated number and percentage of FTF beneficiaries holding 5 hectares or 2 LD 15 91 75 5321 53 Percent less of arable land or equivalent units of livestock (Smallholders)20 87 Overall 55 N/A N/A22 Prevalence of poverty: Percent of 3 LD 10 93 Beef 60 N/A N/A Percent people living on less than $1.90/day† 76 Dairy 45 N/A N/A
Mean percent shortfall relative to the 4 LD11 59 50 N/A N/A23 Percent $1.90 poverty line
16 411 female and 374 male 17 634 female and 630 male. 763 were trained in Q1 FY2019, thus 284 individuals were trained in both Q1 and Q2 FY 2019. Cumulatively, the program has reached 6,949 individuals (3,784 males and 3,165 females) or 5,791 rural households across the six remaining districts, disaggregated 5,090 individual beef farmers (2,756 males and 2,334 females) and 1,859 individual dairy farmers (1,028 males and 831 females). 18 275 female and 223 male 19 136 female and 151 male 20 For FTFZ-LD, the indicator is based on cattle ownership- households owning 10 or less cattle or two or less lactating cows are considered smallholder beef and dairy farmers, respectively 21 A lower percentage is preferred. 22 The indicator will be reported next in FY2020 23 The indicator will be reported next in FY2020
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Indicator FY2019 Q2 FY 2019 Indicator Baseline Disaggregate Total Unit Source Target Achieved
Ability to recover from shocks and Average 5 RESIL-a 4.124 4.1 3.9 3.925 stresses index Score
Prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity in the population, based 6 LD 30 3126 31 15 1527 Percent on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) Average household agricultural net 237.72 Beef 900 N/A N/A28 7 LD 1 USD income from agriculture 415.22 Dairy 2,000 N/A N/A Farmer’s gross margin per animal with 18.80 Beef 30.74 20.71 20.71 8 LD 31 USD USG assistance 119.49 Dairy 200 398.19 398.19 Yield of targeted agricultural EG.3-10,- 9 commodities among program 2.61 Dairy 6.5 4.93 4.93 Liters/day 11,-12 participants with USG assistance Average number of livestock units per 10 LD 32 7.2329 Beef 7.23 N/A N/A30 LU beef households.
Number of individuals in the agriculture 11 EG.3.2-24 4,946 3,60031 6,72032 6,720 Farmers system who have applied improved
24 This is a new indicator introduced by GFSS under the phase two set of indicators in FY 2018; hence the FY 2018 result becomes the baseline. Data collection is through the Annual Household Survey (AHS). 25 Disaggregates: M&F – 3.9; FNM – 3.8; MNF - 3.6; CAN – 3.2 26 This is a new indicator introduced by GFSS under the phase two set of indicators in FY 2018; hence the FY 2018 result becomes the baseline. Data collection is through the AHS 27 FIES average score of 15% (Beef farmers – 14.4% and Dairy farmers – 0.6%) 28 Full results on this indicator will be reported in the FY2019 Annual Report 29 This is a new indicator introduced by GFSS under the phase two set of indicators in FY 2018; hence the FY 2018 result becomes the baseline. Data collection is through the AHS 30 Data will be collected by the 2nd round of the AHS and the indicator reported in the FY2019 Annual Report 31 Assumes a 100 percent adoption rate 32 96.63 percent of farmers have adopted at least one technology during the reporting period. We inferred to the cumulative beneficiary population instead of the farmers contacted by the program in Q1 and Q2 FY 2019 only.
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Indicator FY2019 Q2 FY 2019 Indicator Baseline Disaggregate Total Unit Source Target Achieved management practices or technologies with USG assistance. 12 Number of hectares under improved EG.3.2-28 management practices or technologies that promote improved climate risk 56833 200 537 537 Hectares reduction and/or natural resources management with USG assistance.
Number of market linkages established 0 Total 1,800 127 228 Unique 13 with service providers entered into LD 16 0 Beef 1,300 4234 11635 Individuals with USG supported MSMEs 0 Dairy 500 8536 11237 Total (Actual 2.3238 1.24 3.85 Sales) 3.85 Beef Cattle Value of annual sales of farms and firms USD 14 EG.3.2-26 1.28 (live) (Actual 0.78 1.65 receiving USG assistance. 1.65 Millions Sales) Dairy (Actual 1.04 0.46 2.20 2.20 Sales) Number of individuals who have 0 Total 3,600 1,264 1,26439 received USG supported short-term Unique 15 LD 33 0 Male 1,800 630 630 agricultural sector productivity or food Individuals security training 0 Female 1,800 634 634
33 This is a new indicator introduced by GFSS under the phase two set of indicators in FY 2018; hence the FY 2018 result becomes the baseline. Data collection is through the AHS 34 42 beef farmers, 36 percent women 35 116 beef farmer, 40 percent women. 36 85 dairy farmers, 47 percent women 37 112 dairy farmers, 48 percent women 38 Total actual sales were $2,318,072 (Beef - $1,280,831 & Dairy - $1,037,241). 39 885 and 379 unique beef and dairy farmers respectively.
Prepared by Fintrac Inc. 55 Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
Indicator FY2019 Q2 FY 2019 Indicator Baseline Disaggregate Total Unit Source Target Achieved Value of agriculture-related financing 71,076. 16 EG.3.2-27 0 140,000 USD accessed as a result of USG assistance40 24,62341 6442 Number of individuals participating in
17 group-based savings, micro-finance or EG.4.2-7 223 360 14345 Individuals 5844 lending programs with USG assistance43 Percent of beneficiaries borrowing at
18 least once to finance purchase of LD 8 0 15 1347 Percent 1946 livestock or other capital investment
Number of individuals who have 0 1,640 1,612 1,612 Total Unique 19 invested in agriculture as a result of LD 18 0 Beef 1,040 1,02748 1,027 Individuals USG assistance 0 Dairy 600 58549 585 Value of individual investment made in 1,272,7 20 LD 19 0 820,000 1,272,798 USD agriculture as a result of USG assistance 9850 Value of new USG commitments and 21 EG.3.1-14 1,182 180,000 5051 1,68052 USD private sector investment leveraged by
40 The indicator considered agricultural related credit/loans received by MSMEs including farmers from registered financial institutions only up to FY 2018. Now expanded to include formal and informal sources of credit as from Q1, FY 2019. 41 $24,623 was accessed by 58 farmers (45% women). The financed was borrowed toward purchase of dairy inputs, cattle, small livestock projects, crop inputs. The financiers were Zimnat, Gokwe MCC, Pepukai Kondo Producer Group, Shingai PPLS and Kutrya PPLS. 42 143 beneficiaries (45percent women) accessed cash and in kind agricultural related credit from Gokwe MCC (dairy inputs) and Montana Carswell (feedlot inputs) and PPLS (Kuedza, Mwacheta, Kutrya, Pepukai-Kondo Shingai, Vulindlela) to finance livestock and crop production. 43 Modified in FY 2018 44 58 farmers (45% women) accessed credit (16 beef and 42 dairy farmers) 45 143 beneficiaries (45 percent women) participated in lending programs through USG assistance. They accessed credit from Gokwe MCC (dairy inputs) and Montana Carswell (feedlot inputs), and PPLS (Kuedza, Kutrya, Mwacheta, Pepukai-Kondo Shingai, Vulindlela). 33 farmers were repeat borrowers from Q1 FY 2019 46 19 percent (11 of 58 farmers) accessed credit for capital investment including the purchase of livestock for long term investment. They invested in milking cans and beef cattle. 47 19 of 143 farmers borrowed to finance purchase of seven in-calf dairy heifers and beef cattle, milking cans, and fence. 48 1,027 beef households invested $697,183.43 in capital assets including livestock 49 585 dairy households invested $593,614.57 in capital assets including livestock 50 1,612 households invested in livestock, machinery, and equipment and irrigation infrastructure. 51 $ 50 was invested in a loading ramp by Zenzele producer group from Gweru district 52 Village Milk Aggregator Machina Siyengiwe invested $1,630 in dairy cold chain (gas chiller and gas cylinder); Zenzele cattle producer invested $ 50 in a loading ramp.
Prepared by Fintrac Inc. 56 Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
Indicator FY2019 Q2 FY 2019 Indicator Baseline Disaggregate Total Unit Source Target Achieved the USG to support food security and nutrition Prevalence of women of reproductive
22 age consuming a diet of minimum LD 34 65 70 66 Percent 66 diversity. Percent of female direct beneficiaries of USG nutrition-sensitive agriculture 23 EG.3.3-10 53 60 66 Percent activities consuming a diet of minimum 66 diversity Percent of households that consistently 24 LD 2 7 70 73 Percent consume at least 5 of 9 food groups 73 Prevalence of children 6-23 months 25 LD 14 1 35 84 84 Percent receiving a minimum acceptable diet Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding of 26 LD13 72 72 96 Percent children under six months of age 96 Percent of households that consistently
27 practice at least 4 out of 6 good LD 3 13 75 73 Percent 73 hygiene practices Number of people gaining access to a HL.8.2-2 Individuals 28 4,823 3,240 5,03553 5,035 basic sanitation service. Percent households with detergent and
29 water at a hand washing station HL.8.2-5 50 55 62 Percent 62 commonly used by family members Percent of households washing hands with detergent at 4 critical moments 30 LD 35 35 40 35 Percent (before preparing food, before eating, 35 after toilet use, after removing diapers)
53 90 percent of beneficiary households have access to basic sanitation facilities
Prepared by Fintrac Inc. 57 Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
Indicator FY2019 Q2 FY 2019 Indicator Baseline Disaggregate Total Unit Source Target Achieved Number of food security private enterprises (for profit), producer organizations, water user associations, women’s groups, trade and business Organizations/ 31 LD 3654 0 70 2555 4156 associations, and community-based Associations organizations (CBOs) receiving USG food security related organizational development assistance Percent of female program beneficiaries 32 LD 37 36 50 52 5257 Percent in relevant leadership positions
54 Retained as custom. Originally was EG.3.2-4 in the Feed the Future Handbook. 55 Twenty-five organizations/associations were assisted in Q2, FY 2019: 5 private organizations { Molus meats, Lead Trust, MicroPlan Financial, Venge Stores, Satib Insurance); Eight producer groups {Pepukai-Kondo Feedlot; Mwacheta cattle producer group; Vukuzenzele producer organization; Budiriro producer group; Tashinga milk producer group; Njelele milk producer group; Dingulwazi and Zenzele cattle producer groups; Four PPLS and women’s groups { Shingai, Kutrya, Dzidzai and Kumboedza women’s groups}; Eight aggregators {Machina Siyengiwe;Emmanuel Ngwenya; Paramu Franscisca; Bhepe Rosina; Juwere Dzingirai; Ncube Lovemore; Maparadze Chiedza; Sara Ndodha} 56 Cumulatively in FY 2019, thirty-nine unique organization/associations were assisted in FY 2019: 19 producer groups {14 feedlots (Asithuthukeni, Chibunji Central, Dingulwazi, Irisvale, Kushinga, Kusile, Kuwirirana, Luvuna, Madinga, Sibambene, Siyafunda, Thandanani, Pepukai-Kondo and Zenzele ), three cattle producer and marketing group (Budiriro, Vukuzenzele, Zenzele), and two Milk Producer groups (Njelele and Tashinga milk producer groups); One Dairy Association (Gokwe MCC); Eight PPLS and women (Shingai; Dzidzai, Kumboedza; Mwacheta; Kuedza; Rugare, Vulindlela, Kutrya,); Eight milk aggregators (Chiedza Maparadze; Sarah Ndodha; Paramu Francisca; Emmanuel Ngwenya, Machina Siyengiwe, Dzingirai Juwere, Bhepe Rosina and Lovemore Ncube); Five for Profit Private Organizations {Molus meats, Micro-Plan Financial, Venge Stores, Lead Trust and Satib Insurance} 57 The program has 369 beneficiaries occupying various leadership positions (52 percent women); 89 are lead farmers (53 percent women).
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ANNEX 3. LIST OF BUYERS The companies below have all been engaged, some expressed an interest to transact and some transacted with program beneficiaries in target districts during the review period.
Company Products Contact and Title Tel No. Email Agri Auctions Beef cattle Witness Sibanda 077 2633953 0713433645 Bulawayo Beef cattle SI Brenner 263 9 [email protected] Abattoirs 400715/403689 CBS Milk Buhle Nyathi 0771 930480 [email protected] CC Sales Beef cattle Richard Wakefield 0712 601061 [email protected] Perseverance Dairibord Milk 0772367671 [email protected] Murambakanda Denford Matiringe Dendairy Milk 0774 306108 [email protected] (Bulawayo Milk Depot) Gokwe South Milk and Dairy District General Procurement (059) 2405 products Hospital Gokwe South Milk Elias Chiweshe 0775 927631 MCC Mr Dhlodhlo Kershelmar Milk 0772 252734 [email protected] (Procurement Manager) Koala Park Kobus Raath 0773 477751 [email protected] Abattoir Chiredzi Beef Cattle 0784 844000 Abattoir Kadoma Carl Tuke 0774 642755 [email protected] 0779 748230 Heads and Hooves Beef cattle Chris Androliakos [email protected] 0712 211856 Mandigonera Goats Tendai Sixpence 0777 167270 [email protected] Enterprises Mhofu Mukaka Milk Mitchelle Viviers 0772333601 Montana Carswell 0771 247612 Meats Gokwe & Beef cattle Arthur Rex [email protected] 059-2855 Redcliff Montana Carswell Rod Fenell 0773 982898 Beef cattle Meats Masvingo Craig Green 0772 816069 Morestead Venge Processor Milk Morestead Venge 0772341448 Chirumhanzu 0774 101768 Red Tractor Dairy Milk Gavin Cantor 0772 831500 Beef cattle & Sabie Meats Neil van der Merwe 0772 214116 [email protected] stock feed Spar Zimbabwe Dairy products Buyer 0772 977 345 St. Agnes School Dairy Products Procurement 0775 024223 Sarah Ndodha Takawira MCC Milk 0773 378778
Umzingwane MCC Milk Sheila Lupuwana 0775 559742
Prepared by Fintrac Inc. 59 Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Program | Quarterly Report #2 FY2019
ANNEX 4. LIST OF INPUT SUPPLIERS The companies below have all been engaged, some expressed an interest to transact and some transacted with program beneficiaries in target districts during the review period. Company Products Contact & Title Tel No. Email Agrifoods Stock feed Luke Mutemeri 0712 632 333 [email protected] Cottco Cotton Motes Mr. Mutauranwa 0773 715297 [email protected] Dr. Morgan Ecomark & 0772 282803 [email protected] Veterinary supplies Matingo Coopers 0773 724088 [email protected] Dr. Oswin Choga Technical Econet Wireless information on Beniah Nyakanda 0774 222867 [email protected] livestock Feed Mix Stock feed Wendy Krog 04-446132 [email protected] Dr. Bruce Fivaz 0772 189802 [email protected] Fivet Veterinary supplies John Magasi (sales) 0773 582239 [email protected] Maize, pasture, and Klein Karoo Beauty Magiya 0772 339326 [email protected] vegetable seed Smallholder Kurima appropriate Ryan Butterworth 0773 981599 [email protected] Machinery technology Lamour Dairy Milk, dairy animals Gareth Barry 0772 260799 [email protected] Products Lion Finance Paul Chapotaronga 0772 100257 [email protected] Finance Zimbabwe Trevor Arigundiya 0772 789 534 [email protected] Luipaardsvlei Brahman bulls Dawie Joubert 0774 334554 [email protected] Brahmans Meadow Feeds Stock feed Mark Androliakos 0712 212338 [email protected] Micro Plan Finance Annah Sithole 0731772732 [email protected] Financial Services Willard 0772148713 National Foods Stock feed [email protected] Mukondiwa 0733400112 National dairy Milk bulk tanks and Mr. Watadza 0773 246570 Co-op molasses Quest Financial Finance James Msipa 0772 573276 [email protected] Services Beef cattle & stock Neil van der Sabie Meats 0772 214116 [email protected] feed Merwe Taguta Farm Cattle Breeder Noah Taguta 0772452310 0774 164390 Clive Msipa (04) UNTU Capital Finance [email protected] 332968/308746 Amon Basuthu 0773 026 844 Veterinary Animal health Nyasha Chipepe (04)793183 Distributors products Vet Distributors Animal health Chidhakwa 0777498008 [email protected] Gweru products Courage Stock feed and Windmill Claude Ndavambi 0772 433496 [email protected] veterinary supplies Zimbabwe Farmer 0771 564555 Paul Zakariya [email protected] Farmers Union Organization 0771 564554 Zimnat Financial 0773509977 Finance Tichaona Gumera [email protected] Services 04701176/80/82
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ANNEX 5. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFICIARIES
Table 1: Geographical Distribution of Households - Q2, FY 2019 Natural FY 2016 - Q1 FY 2019 Q2, FY 2019 Cumulative to date Value Chain District Region Female Male Total Female Male Total Female Male Total Chipinge V 758 924 1,682 30 19 49 788 943 1,731 Chirumhanzu III 264 345 609 4 8 13 268 353 622 Communal Gokwe South III 173 262 435 1 10 11 174 272 446 Beef Gweru III & IV 213 195 408 4 3 7 217 198 415 Kwekwe III 246 325 571 14 13 27 260 338 598 Umzingwane IV 235 191 426 3 2 4 238 193 430 Sub-total 1,889 2,242 4,131 56 55 111 1,945 2,297 4,242 Chipinge V 6 17 23 0 0 0 6 17 23 Chirumhanzu III 149 178 327 5 4 9 154 182 336 Communal Gokwe South III 394 502 896 6 2 8 400 504 904 Dairy Gweru III & IV 14 21 35 0 1 1 14 22 36 Kwekwe III 3 3 6 0 0 0 3 3 6 Umzingwane IV 59 59 118 4 2 6 63 61 123 Sub-total 625 780 1,405 15 9 24 640 788 1,428 Chipinge V 3 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 3 Chirumhanzu III 18 24 42 0 0 0 18 24 42 SSC Dairy Gokwe South III 23 37 60 0 0 0 23 37 60 Umzingwane IV 8 9 17 0 0 0 9 9 18 Sub-total 52 70 122 0 0 0 52 70 122 Grand Total 2,566 3,092 5,658 71 64 135 2,637 3,154 5,791 Source: CIRIS
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