PROGRESS UPDATES PHASE 1 PHASE 2 NO COST ... - EOAI-AFRICA · Conservation (SSNC) and Africa ... o Nigeria is on its 3rd draft of Organic Agriculture Act of 2017 o Tanzania, organic

A natural future for all collectively

PROGRESS UPDATES PHASE 1PHASE 2

NO COST EXTENSION (JANUARY TO APRIL 2019)

By Venancia Wambua

EOA-I Project Manager

Biovision Africa Trust Lead Coordinating Agency and Host to the

Continental Secretariat (SDC support)

Staff Retreat Meeting Verona Hotel, Kenya

25/11/2019


Overview➢ Lead Coordinating Agencies

• Biovision Africa Trust for SDC

contribution;

• PELUM Kenya for SSNC contribution

✓ Phase I: 2014-2018 (SDC)- closed

✓ Phase II: 2019-2023 (SDC)-

commenced

✓ Funding: Swiss Agency for

Development Cooperation (SDC) ;

Swedish Society for Nature

Conservation (SSNC) and Africa

Union (AU)

✓ Phase 2 funding is 6.3 Million USD

✓ Beneficiaries: Smallholder farmers

across Africa

✓ Partners – 35 partners


Strategic Focus

VISIONMISSION

GOAL

Resilient and

vibrant Ecological

Organic Agricultural

systems for

enhanced food and

nutrient security,

and sustainable

development in

Africa.

To scale up ecologically and organically

sound strategies and practices through

institutional capacity development,

scientific innovations, market participation,

public policies and programs, outreach and

communication, efficient coordination,

networking and partnerships in Africa.

To mainstream Ecological Organic

Agriculture into national agricultural

production systems by 2025 in order to

improve agricultural productivity, food

security, access to markets and

sustainable development in Africa.


Strategic Objectives

OBJECTIVE 1 OBJECTIVE 2

OBJECTIVE 3 OBJECTIVE 4

To increase documentation of

information and knowledge on

organic agricultural products

along the complete value chain

and support relevant actors to

translate it into practices and wide

application.

To systematically inform producers

about the EOA approaches and

good practices and motivate their

uptake through strengthening

access to advisory and support

services.

Strengthen inclusive stakeholder

engagement in organic commodities

value chain development by

developing national, regional and

continental multi-stakeholder

platforms to advocate for changes in

public policy, plans and practices.

To substantially increase

the share of quality organic

products at the local,

national and regional

markets.


Strategic Pillars of Implementation(6)

Institutional Capacity

Development

This pillar supports equipping

of professionals with skills and

competences to facilitate

community-based innovation

and change processes geared

towards establishing,

developing and supporting

EOA in Africa.

Value Chain and

Market

Development:

This pillar aims to stimulate

development of sustainable

markets and increase trade in

traditional and high value

agricultural produce both at

domestic and export levels

Networking and

Partnerships

Calls for engagement by relevant

stakeholders including governments,

farmers, civil society, private sector,

and the international community. This

pillar is mandated with sustaining such

partnerships.

Research, Training

and Extension

This is responsible for

understanding research

and training gaps within

the ecological organic

agriculture value chains

and undertaking activities

to fill them.

Information and

Communication

Is charged with

awareness creation

and strengthening

EOA extension

support systems.

Policy and

Programme

Development

This pillar supports the

development and

implementation of enabling

policies and programs for

EOA.


COVERAGE & STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Certification bodies

Civil Society

Research NetworksPrivate Sector

Farmers’ Organisations

RECs

Development Partners

AfroNet

EOA Implementation: Mainstreaming EOA in …▪ … Policies, Strategies, Investment Plans▪ … Standards, Certification▪ … Research (agenda, methods)

▪ … Training (curricula & programs)▪ … Extension (practices, information/communication)▪ … Markets, Value Chains

Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in Africa

CLO in other countries

Country Lead Organisation

National EOA Platform

Public SectorGovernment

Civil Society Private Enterprises

Research & TrainingAdvisory Services

Farmer Organizations

Consumers

Project Implementing Organizations

Centres of Excellence

(Research, Training, Extension, Information

& Communication, Value Chains & Market

Development

Regional EOA SC

Continental EOA Steering Committee –Chaired by the Africa Union

Commission

EOA Secretariat


Coverage & Strategic partners

COUNTRY KEY PARTNERS

1. Kenya – Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN)

2. Senegal – National Federation For Organic Agriculture

(FENAB)

3. Mali - Association des Organisations Professionnelles Paysannes (AOPP)

4. Benin - Béninoise pour la Promotion de l'Agriculture

Biologique (OBEPAB)

5. Nigeria – Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners

of Nigeria (NOAN)

6. Ethiopia – Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD)

7. Uganda – National Organic Agriculture Movement of

Uganda (NOGAMU)

8. Tanzania – Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement

(TOAM)

9. Rwanda – Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM)

Overall, over 35 partners are involved


KEY HIGHLIGHTS IN NUMBERS

2014-2018

100 000+ farmers

trained in ecological/organic agriculture

practices

500 000+ Stakeholders reached with information

materials

21 000+ farmers linked to markets

1700+ farmers facilitated to trade fairs,

exchange visits, workshops,

conferences etc.

500+ policy makers

reached & facilitated to policy events

140,000+ Social media

2,100 + through Curricula


Some Achievements of Mainstreaming EOA into National Policies

All the 8 EOA-I participating countries s have achieved various levels

of mainstreaming EOA into programmes, plans or policies. For

example:

o Kenya Organic Agriculture Strategy by Ministry of Agriculture (1st Meeting

27th Nov 2019)

o Nigeria is on its 3rd draft of Organic Agriculture Act of 2017

o Tanzania, organic agriculture is highlighted in the National Agriculture

Policy of 2013.

o Uganda, National Organic Policy Passed this year (Big Milestone)

o Policy (NOAP) on its role on supporting organic agriculture.

o Benin, the Innovation for Sustainable Agricultural Growth (2017) plan

promotes use of organic herbicides and fertilizers in the rice and soya

value chains.

o Senegal, National Agricultural Investment Program for Food Security

and Nutrition (PNIASAN) is awaiting validation


Key AchievementsTowards EOA-I Goal Attainment National Policies

and Plans

10

Policies Benin Ethiopia Kenya Organic Agriculture Policy 2017 (5th Draft)

Mali

Nigeria Organic Agriculture Act of 2017

Senegal National Agricultural Investment Program for Food Security and Nutrition (PNIASAN),- awaiting validation

Tanzania

Uganda Draft Uganda Organic Agriculture Policy. Awaits Ministry of Finance to provide a certificate of financial implication National Fertilizer Policy (NFP) 2016

Plans

Benin Innovation for Sustainable Agricultural Growth (2017)

Ethiopia Kenya Mali Nigeria Senegal Tanzania Greening Island Initiative plan

Tanzania Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP II)

Organic Sector Development Program (OSDP)

Organic Policy Action Paper (OPAP)

Uganda National Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan 2015/16-2019/20.


Key AchievementsTowards EOA-I Goal Attainment- Focus on University Progammes

11

Country & No of Universities

Programme

Benin (1) • University of Calabi: doing research on organic Fertilizers and selling to farmers; they are currently doing research on organic livestock.

• The University also has integrated production pest management (IPPM) courses.

Ethiopia (1) • Mekele University. There are Organic Agriculture course units within the Degree programmes, and Masters Students carrying out research on Organic agriculture related studies.

Kenya (1) • Egerton University: Organic Agriculture course units within the undergraduate degree programmes, and Masters Students carrying out research on Organic agriculture related studies.

Mali • Organic Agriculture course units within the undergraduate degree programmes,


Key AchievementsTowards EOA-I Goal Attainment- Focus on University Progammes

12

Nigeria • Tertiary education organizations like NUC, NBTE, and NRCN have been lobbied to review Curriculum to include organic agriculture.

• A PhD student has been facilitated to carry out research on Indigenous knowledge and Organic Agriculture characterization amongst farmers in Nigeria.

Uganda (2) • At Makerere University: - PhD. and Masters students are carrying out research on organic Agriculture while the undergraduates are exposed to organic Agriculture through course units.

• At Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi – there is a fully-fledged undergraduate course on organic Agriculture, have developed a Masters course in Agro Ecology, and a PhD programme in agro ecology and livelihood systems.

Senegal (1) • At University of Dakar, the conceptualization of Organic Agriculture Degree started in 2014. To date, 6 students across Bachelors, Masters & PhD have graduated. Currently 5 students are on attachment.

Tanzania (1) • There are ongoing Organic Agriculture Research programmes at PhD. and Masters levels at Sokoine University. The first 2 PhDs to graduate in 2018. Dar es Salaam University is conducting research around EOA and is also playing a front role in EOA curriculum review.


Key Achievements

Towards EOA-I Goal Attainment- Focus on Standards and Certification

13

Kilimohai has been in existence since 2007. Its main purpose is to maintain a single organic standard for organic agriculture production under East African conditions. The EOA-I continued to support certification of Farmers for the Kilimo Hai Mark


Key AchievementsTowards EOA-I Goal Attainment- Focus on Standards and Certification

14

Country PGS & ICS Processes

Benin • 10 facilitators undertaken through ICS & PGS

• 3 organic producers associations trained in ICS & PGS

Ethiopia • 78 producers sensitized on PGS and 50 vegetable farmers undergoing PGS process.

Kenya • 15 PGS certification

Mali •

Nigeria • Fifty-six (56) trained in Participatory Guarantee System procedure of certification.

• Nigeria 47 local inspectors

Uganda • 11 Local Inspectors trained in PGS

• 226 farmers trained in ICS

Senegal •

Tanzania • 42 PGS have been developed; 12 bear active licenses under the East African Organic Products Standard.

• 6 ICS groups have been formed.


EOA Reach to Households & Other Target

Groups

15

White

Is the color of milk and fresh snow, the color produced by the combination of all the colors of the visible spectrum.

56%44%

Gender Distribution

Male

Female

Gender

Distribution

Country Male Female

Benin 66% 34%

Ethiopia 80% 20%

Kenya 54% 46%

Mali 31% 69%

Nigeria 33% 67%

Senegal 67% 33%

Tanzania 55% 45%

Uganda 61% 39%

Grand Total 56%

44%


EOA Reach to Households & Other Target

Groups

16


EOA Reach to Households & Other Target Groups

CHANGE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EOA

PRACTICES

17

28%

45%

23%

5%1%

6%

64%

30%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

No Knowledge MinimalKnowledge

Basic Knowledge VeryKnowledgeable

2013

2017


In two or three columns

Yellow

Is the color of gold, butter and ripe lemons. In the spectrum of visible light, yellow is found between green and orange.

Blue

Is the colour of the clear sky and the deep sea. It is located between violet and green on the optical spectrum.

Red

Is the color of blood, and because of this it has historically been associated with sacrifice, danger and courage.

18

Attitudes towards EOA Practices

Statement Strongly agree

Agree Indifferent

Disagree Strongly disagree

1. Organic farming is for those who cannot afford chemicals and or non-organic seeds

3% 13% 4% 33% 47%

1. Non-organic farming gives more yields than organic farming

13% 15% 14% 26% 31%

1. Organic farming is only for household use not market

1% 6% 10% 44% 38%

1. Organic farming is cheaper than non-organic farming

23% 16% 11% 27% 24%

1. Demand for organic products is lower than that of non-organic products

3% 10% 22% 31% 34%

1. There is no market for organic products

5% 15% 12% 35% 34%

INFLUENCE ONATTITUDE

The results

indicated 80% of

the producers

do not agree

with the

negative

stereotype

within the

African context

that “Organic

farming is for

those who

cannot afford

chemicals and

or non-organic

seeds”


19

The intention of EOA-I in providing training and training materials as well holding forums, conferences and EOA practices and product marketing through print and electronic media is to promote greater adoption of EOA practices by producers.

ADOPTION OF EOA PRACTICES


20

EOA PRACTICES INTRODUCED TO FARMERS

1) Intercropping (67%)- most adopted2) Crop rotation(66%) 3) Mulching (63%) 4) Incorporation of farm residue to

improve soil fertility (59%)5) Use of farm yard manure6) Cover crops7) Green manure8) Compost to improve soil fertility9) Green fallow period10) Compositing farmyard manure on the

farm11) Inorganic fertilizer12) Animal manure

13) Water conservation technologies14) Correction of soil pH15) Soil conservation measure16) Crop rotation17)Ploughing in leguminous plants18) Soil testing19) Zero tillage20) Nitrogen fixing plants21)Mexican sunflower22)Push pull (11.1%)23) Liming (9.4%) 24) Bio-slurry (8.4%)


21

ADOPTION OF EOA PRACTICES

Practices promoted by EOA-I: farmers awareness of those practices prior and eventual adoption

Awareness Practices 2013

Trained Practices 2017

Benin 69% 58% 57% 55%

Ethiopia 11% 18% 34% 29%

Kenya 29% 26% 33% 31%

Mali 46%

Nigeria 43% 33% 26% 35%

Senegal 31% 26% 33% 31%

Tanzania 40% 37% 63% 50%

Uganda 26% 26% 40% 29%

Overall 34% 30% 40% 34%

Across all the 24

practices, the

proportion of

producers

practicing either of

them had

increased or

remained the same

in 2017 compared

to the proportion of

producers who

were practicing in

2013


35% of the farmers

reported to have

received training on at

least one of the

practices promoted by

EOA-I.22


Certified Organic

Producers through EOA-I

⊷ Overall 48% of the producers or

their producer groups have

been certified as organic

producers. Nigeria and Benin

recorded the highest

percentage of 100% and 97%

respectively. Mali, Tanzania and

Senegal recorded low

percentages of certified organic

producers of 17%, 23%, and

38% respectively.

23

48%52%

3dr Party and PGS Certification

Certified

Non Certified


24

62%

37%

7%

34%

0%4% 1% 3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

2013 2017 2013 2017 2013 2017 2013 2017

Local informalMarket

/Traders

ProducerCooperatives

Supermarkets Other

Pe

rce

nta

ge o

f fa

rme

rs

Where produce was sold

Where farmers sold their agricultural produce in 2013 and 2017Between 2013 and

2017 a drastic change in Market preference where producers shifted from Local direct markets to Marketing their products through Cooperatives

In 2017, overall 91% of

certified producers were

aware of organic markets.

Compared to 2013 where

only 30% were aware


Markets

A shift of 33% from Individual to

Group sell s was recorded between

2013 and 2017 through EOA-I

interventions

25

87%

54%

13%

46%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2013 2017 2013 2017

Individual Group

How organic producers sell their produce (As Individual or in Groups)

Reasons why Group sells were

popular

➢ Higher price

➢ Higher bargaining power

➢ More stable markets

because of the economies

of scale

➢ Other benefits such as

social capital, peer

learning, and group

support


EOA Pillars Contribution to Project

Outcomes

26

Percentage increased

production.

Percentage change

Productivity yield per unit area

Food security

Nutrition’s Incomes (from organic farming)

increased by 10%+

Welfare improvement

(quality of life)

Benin 44% -12% 100% 100.0% 44.7% 90%

Ethiopia 95% 50% 100% 96.4% 100.0% 74%

Kenya 102% 78% 96% 96.4% 76.8% 44%

Mali 98% 76% 98% 96.8% 75.0% 96%

Nigeria 105% -5% 96% 96.4% 64.3% 64%

Senegal 57% 7% 96% 92.9% 78.6% 79%

Tanzania 17% -16% 87% 83.9% 77.4% 75%

Uganda 94% 48% 96% 95.9% 37.2% 72%

TOTAL 83% 37% 97% 96.1% 58.4% 73%


PHASE 2: INCEPTION WORKSHOPS FOR EOA-I PHASE 2

Activity Highlights

✓ Commenced in May 2019

✓ Partner contracting finalized in the 9 participating countries for2019.

✓ The current contracts cover 8 months (May – December 2019).

✓ Partner Work Plans and Budgets submitted for 2019.

✓ Project implementation has commenced in all the participatingcountries.

✓ Selection of new implementing partners in Senegal finalized.The new CLO is CNCR and new Information andCommunication implementing partner is IED Afrique.

✓ An EOA-I National Platform for Senegal formed in April 2019and is now operational.

COMMENCEMENT OF EOA-I PHASE 2


GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Goal: To improve quality of life for all African citizens by mainstreaming organic agriculture (OA) practices and technologies into the agricultural systems.

Objective 1: To avail information and knowledge needed by Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) value chain actors through demand-driven, multi-disciplinary, gender sensitive and participatory research and repositories.

✓ Specific Objective 1.1: To generate and collate information and knowledge needed by EOA actors along value chains.

✓ Specific objective 1.2: To validate and synthesize EOA research information and knowledge.

✓ Specific objective 1.3: To document best experiences and results on EOA research information and knowledge use by EOA actors along value chains



Objective 2: To enhance adoption of EOA approaches, technologies and practices through systematic dissemination of research based practical information and knowledge to value chain actors.

✓ Specific Objective 2.1: To disseminate EOA practices through various pathways (IEC materials, social media applications and websites) to support value chain actors.

✓ Specific Objective 2.2: To disseminate EOA practices through training and extension to support value chain actors and education institutions



Objective 3: To substantially increase share of quality organic products at local, national, regional and international markets through value chain development and market strengthening.

✓ Specific Objective 3.1: To develop and implement strategies for linking value chain actors to business support services.

✓ Specific Objective 3.2: To support access to market intelligence (products, price, place and promotion – 4Ps) to inform decision making and improve competitiveness of the EOA actors.

✓ Specific Objective 3.3: To strengthen capacity of producers to meet organic market standards.

✓ Specific Objective 3.4: To support development and strengthening of organic markets to increase the share of organic products (certified/non-certified) at domestic and export levels


GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND MAIN ACTIVITIESObjective 4: To enhance structured management and governance of EOA

through coordination, networking, advocacy, multi stakeholder platforms and capacity building leading to positive changes in agricultural systems in Africa.

✓ Specific Objective 4.1: To strengthen synergies amongst governance, coordinating and implementing institutions through networks, coordination and partnerships.

✓ Sub-Objective 4.2: To lobby and advocate for mainstreaming of EOA practices into public policies and investment plans

✓ Specific Objective 4.3: To improve the functioning and service delivery of EOA institutions in Africa through capacity building

✓ Specific Objective 4.4: To support and strengthen multi stakeholder platforms at regional level for advocacy, experiential sharing, networking, resource mobilization and learning.

✓ Specific Objective 4.5: To support and strengthen multi stakeholder platforms at continental level for advocacy, experiential sharing, networking, resource mobilization and learning.

✓ Specific Objective 4.6: To support and strengthen Non-State actors umbrella body (AfrONet) to promote EOA through advocacy, experiential sharing, networking, resource mobilization and learning.


Baseline survey to set bench marks and targets for EOA Phase II✓ The project currently does not have base line data to

inform setting of benchmarks and targets for purposes of monitoring its progress and growth, an observation and recommendation made in the end term of Phase I external evaluation.

✓ The evaluation relied on use of recall data (not accurate) and also brought setbacks in the development of an M&E system.

✓ This exercise therefore sought to inform the development of a robust M&E system and review of progress and impact of the project in Phase II of its implementation.

✓ The Final draft report has been submitted. The report is currently under review by EOA & CSC teams

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019


Key Indicators Established for the EOA-IOBJECTIVE 1: The Status of Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes & Uptake of EOA Practices and/or Technologies

1. Extent to which farmers are aware of EOA practices

2. Knowledge of EOA practices

3. Proportion of EOA practices adopted and being implemented by farmers

OBJ 2: EOA Reach to Farmers, including Youth and other Vulnerable Groups

1. Number (or percent) of farmers, youth and other vulnerable groups who have been reached by the various EOA pillar interventions

OBJ3: Utilization/coverage of EOA- Related Programmes/initiatives

1. Extent of utilization/coverage of EOA related programmes/initiatives in country project areas



Key Indicators Established for the EOA-IOBJ 4: Advocacy Strategies at Implementing Partner Level

1. Advocacy Strategy

✓ Existing as a document

✓ Existing through Activities

✓ Non existentOBJ 5: Strengths and Gaps of the Institutional Support Structures and M&E System

✓ Staff Competencies

✓ Resource Mobilization

✓ Financial Management and Reporting

✓ Experience Sharing across Pillars

✓ Monitoring and Evaluation Systems



Development and Pretesting of Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks and ToolsThis activity is ongoing with a Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS)having been developed and M&E Framework revised based on the commentsgenerated from the Phase 2 Inception Workshops. Online set up going on as well

Why PIRS?

Defines every single indicator so that the project partners and the coordinating organizations can:

a) Understand well what is being measured

b) Collect the necessary raw data on the indicator

c) Process the raw data to derive each indicator’s value and the external resources to which it refers.

The values reported for every indicator must be accurate and consistent across time and location.



Development and Pretesting of Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks and Tools – Cont’d

Components of the M&E System (In place)

✓ Performance Indicators: Output, Outcome and Impact

✓ Data Disaggregation: Identifies the data categories/type of data to be collected

✓ Baseline Data as at 2019

✓ Yearly sections on Targeted Results and Actual Results

✓ Indicator Data Source: Baseline data, Impact assessments reports

✓ External factors: Narrative section explaining the context of the indicator. E.g. Political, policy risk levels or enabling factors among others

✓ A section on system requirement: To ensure data reported is verifiable (will give options for loading verifiable sources of information to a specific result)



Grants Management Manual (GMM) for EOA-I Phase 2✓ Final draft GMM manual has been submitted

✓ Role of National Platforms has been emphasized at Country Level

Key Components of the GMM

Submission of applications

✓ The national platforms will form proposal review committees (PRC) to handle the evaluation of proposals.

✓ All applications will be conducted via the web based grants management system

Evaluation by National Platform

✓ The PRC will consist of 5 members.

✓ BvAT will come up with the criteria for selection of the PRC members and also develop a ToR for them.

✓ The committee will conduct eligibility check, technical review, financial review and a limited due diligence assessment.



Grants Management Manual (GMM) for EOA-I Phase 2Key Components of the GMM

Evaluation by BvAT✓ BvAT will conducted 2nd level review of the best three proposals from each

country. This will involve technical and financial evaluations and a rigorous risk assessment and final proposal to be awarded and submit the full report to SDC for approval.

Funding Model✓ 2 Models will be used (fixed and Challenge funding will be used).

✓ The fixed funding should has been recommended to be a lower percentage than the Challenge funding.

✓ BvAT to determine a minimum that is required to achieve project objectives. This information will be used to determine the percentage of funding that will be fixed/flexible.



Grants Management Manual (GMM) for EOA-I Phase 2Key Components of the GMM Cont’d

COMPETITION

Solicitation methods: Competitive and collaborative solicitation methods will be used. Unsolicited proposals are not accepted.

In-country competition: The in-country competition will be led by the national platforms. Consortia will submit their proposals through the web-based system for consideration.

Competition across countries: Flexible funds will be utilized through a challenge fund open to the implementing consortia. The funding of each consortia will be determined by the innovativeness of their concepts.

Selection criteria



Grants Management Manual (GMM) for EOA-I Phase 2Proposed Roles of National Platforms:

✓ Encourage submission of proposals by consortia of various partners

✓ Constitution of the Proposal Review Committee (PRC) from the National Platforms, spelling out its requirements and expectations

✓ Empowering and supporting the PRC to screen submitted proposals

✓ Allowing the PRC to shortlist and give recommendations on the best proposal based on set criteria/guidelines

There should be a uniform grants allocation across the 9 EOA-I participating countries (Fixed Funding) as well as a percentage of awards for the best proposals (Challenge Fund). Current proposal from SDCC is 50%-50% allocation



Grants Management System Framework and Manual – Cont’d✓ Piloting of the GMM will be done in Rwanda January 2020 before being

rolled out to the rest of the countries.

• RFA to test the grant system will be done by February 2019.

• Evaluations for the applications will start from March- May 2020.

✓ PRC establishment and inductions across the partner countries shall be done during 1st quarter of 2020.

Proposed Eligibility Criteria

✓ Feasibility of Design & Technical Approach :Viability of the proposed technical approach i.e appropriateness of the proposed Methodology to achieving the objectives, innovativeness

✓ Impact on Target Group: The extent to which the proposed activity corresponds to the needs of target group(s) and will directly benefit them

✓ Management and Programmatic Capacity: Evidence of the capability of applicant to undertake and accomplish the proposed activities.

✓ Scalability and Sustainability



Grants Management System Framework and Manual –Cont’d✓ Grants system set up should be finalized by December 2019.

✓ Grants Period will be fixed for the Project Phase Period: One off Callfor Proposals and Partner selections done for the phase period.

✓ Annual reviews will be undertaken for the challenge award fund.

✓ The new GMM will be rolled out officially in July 2020.

✓ The Challenge fund will be awarded based on Annual reviews ofperformance in rolling out EOA-I at Country level. Performancereview indicators/criteria have been developed.



Review of Institutional Structures for Mainstreaming

Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa

Why the Study?

✓ To review the institutional structures of the EOA-I in Africa, withregard to their efficacy in supporting the mainstreaming of EOAin Africa’s agricultural systems.

✓ The structures driving the mainstreaming of various elements ofthe initiative include:• The National Steering Committees (NSC), chaired by representatives of

the Ministry of Agriculture or the related line ministry

• Regional Steering Committees (RSC), chaired by representatives ofRegional Economic Committees and

• The Continental Steering Committee (CSC) chaired by a representativeof the African Union Commission. The CSC also includes the AfricanOrganic Network (AfrONet).

• Review the Secretariats : support structures to the SteeringCommittees



Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa

Key Findings


Review of Institutional Structures for Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa – Cont’d

Key Findings

National Platforms

- An ideal National Platform (NP) would constitute of the ministry ofagriculture (chairing) and other relevant sector ministries, researchand educational institutes, private sector, civil society organizations,farmer organizations, development partners, policy institutes,certification and regulatory agencies, and development partners.Most platforms are comprised only of members drawn from thecivil society and government.

- NP roles are currently being undertaken by NSC especially this hasbeen linked to availability of resources to run the NPs

- Failure of NPs has been linked to lack of clear mandate, policyadvocacy clout and financial resources.



Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa – Cont’d

Key Findings

National Steering Committee

- The study established that the current composition ismade of both active and inactive representatives, and thisundermines the NSC leadership, integration, andcoordination roles.

- Membership is largely individual-oriented and notinstitutional-centred.

- Key constituencies like MOA not represented (otherrelevant ministries, certification bodies, developmentpartners)




Key Findings

The East and West Africa Regional Platforms & RSCs

- The structure composition is relevant: RECs involvement is strategic in integrating EOA into regional policies and plans

- The RSC has not been successful in bringing on board other regional bodies such as the Regional Farmers’ Organizations (ROPPA, EAFF), regional research organizations (CORAF, FARA, ASARECA) and others.

- Active composition in participation is from CLOs, PIPs and MOAs: Thus inclines towards project discussions rather than strategic discussions for growth of organic agriculture.

- East Africa Organic Platform is currently inactive.




Key Findings

The CSC

- The CSC is relevant: The link between the EOA Secretariat and the African Union Commission through its CSC Chair – reporting back to the African Union Commission (AUC) on progress of EOA-I explains a strategic alignment of mainstreaming EOA policies, plans, strategies and programs to the highest political organ in Africa.

- The role of CSC members is not clearly defined: inactive and ineffective as all the follow up work after meetings is left to the executing agency, making it difficult to fully operationalize the CSC EOA continental agenda, establishment of the RSCs and the general guidance of EOA-Initiative.


Key Findings

Afronet

- Relevant: Works through member networks: the NOAMs

- Successful in organizing the Pan Africa Organic Conference every three years

- Funding challenges to operationalise its strategic plan

Review of Institutional Structures for

Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture

(EOA) Initiative in Africa – Cont’d


Key Recommendations

Committee membership: This should be limited to thoserepresenting a constituency of stakeholders and should always becalled upon to account on what they contribute to thecommittees and how they have made use / applied theinformation, knowledge and resolutions of previous meetings forthe benefit of EOA through their constituents. This contributes tothe element of accountability of amongst the members.

Duration of stay in the committees: The positions at RSC and CSC

that represent large constituents such as the PIPs, continental /regional farmer organizations, NGO’s, certification bodies. Aperiod of 2 years is sufficient.

Review of Institutional Structures for Mainstreaming Ecological Organic

Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa – Cont’d


Key Recommendations

✓ Committees involvement in monitoring: With a long history of support to organic agriculture or a person with high profile (and political clout, if necessary), and are able to generate media coverage as well as support resource mobilization. Preferably people from the continent for CSC and respective countries as maybe the case of NSCs / NPs

✓ Harmonization of M&E Indicators across the Structures


Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa –

Cont’d


Key Recommendations

✓ Due to funding limitations, the SCs can co-opt strategic staff from implementing agencies and partners to handle the programmatic work for now, before a critical amount of resources are mobilities to onboard tenable positions.

✓ Communication and Branding of EOA: Develop a continental Communication Strategy and Branding that all partners can apply and align their work with.

✓ Fundraising: the CSC through the continental secretariat should take the lead.

✓ A resource mobilization strategy that cascades down to the regional and national level should be developed

✓ Explore fundraising through a consortia of partners (TWGs proposed for this support)


Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa –

Cont’d


STRATEGIC WORKSHOPS FOR EOA-I PHASE 2

Phase 2 Regional Workshops and a Validation workshop

✓ The 2 workshops’ key areas of discussions were introducingpartners to the new strategies that have been introduced inPhase 2.

✓ It was an opportunity for partners to deliberate and familiarizethemselves with the new implementation strategies whichinclude the new Grants Management System, the MarketSystems Development (business development approach), theNetwork of teams among others.

✓ Partners reviewed the Phase 2 proposal (Outcomes, Outputsand Main activities). The reviews will be submitted to SDC forfurther review and consideration for the next implementationyear (2020).

✓ Validation of Baseline and EOA Structure Review reports.


STRATEGIC WORKSHOPS FOR EOA-I PHASE 2

Phase 2 Regional Workshops and a validation workshop


AGROECOLOGY CONFERENCE UPDATES

Title: 1st International Conference on Agroecology Transforming Agriculture & Food Systems in Africa

Reducing Synthetic Fertilizers and Pesticides through Scaling Up Agroecology, Promoting Ecological Organic Trade

Dates and Venue: Safari Park Hotel & Casino, Nairobi, Kenya

(18th - 21st June, 2019)

Main Organizers: The World Food Preservation Centre, Biovision Africa Trust and IFOAM Organics International with their partners

Updates

✓ The conference attracted delegates from 20 countries and over 400 participants.

✓ It ended by a communique of CALL TO ACTION and various successful presentations and the conference report that can be found at the conference web page through this link https://www.agroecologyconference.eoai-africa.org/

https://www.agroecologyconference.eoai-africa.org/


FINANCE UPDATES

✓ BvAT received the first disbursement was of USD 1,789,423.70 in May 2019 after signing the agreement with SDC.

✓ Contracts to all partners have been completed and first disbursement sent as per below schedule.


FINANCE UPDATES

Country Lead Organization(Disbursment )

Kenya- KOAN 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Uganda- PELUM Uganda 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Tanzana- TOAM 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Ethopia- ISD 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Nigeria- NOAN 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Senegal- FENAB 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Benin- OBEPAB 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Mali-AOPP 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Rwanda-ROAM 28,754.81 17,252.88 11,501.92

Subtotal 830,370.68 498,222.41 332,148.27

Support and Cementing

Afronet 19,513.01 11,707.81 7,805.20

EOA Regional Cluster-West 41,758.34 25,055.00 16,703.33

EOA Regional Cluster-East 41,758.34 25,055.00 16,703.33

ATPS 100,000.00 60,000.00 40,000.00

Subtotal 203,029.68 121,817.81 81,211.87

Total 1,033,400.36 620,040.21 413,360.14


PHASE 2: INCEPTION WORKSHOPS FOR EOA-I PHASE 2

Activity Highlights

✓ Partner contracting finalized in the 9 participating countries for2019

✓ The current contract covers a period of 8 months (May – December2019)

✓ Partner Work Plans and Budgets submitted

✓ Project Implementation has commenced in all the participatingcountries

✓ Selection of new implementing partners in Senegal finalized. Thenew CLO is CNCR and new Information and Communicationimplementing partner is IED Afrique.

✓ An EOA-I National Platform for Senegal was formed in April 2019and is now operational


CSC Meetings – review and approval of EOA-I Reports and Workplans, RM support (recent link to EU), Policy mainstreaming support (policy study), EOA awareness creation (through STC, DREA, AUDA, CAADP, 4TH AOC e.t.c)

✓ The 11th CSC meeting was successfully held in Zanzibar in May and several key decisions and resolutions were made. Follow up on Action points going on.

✓ 12th CSC meeting held on 10th to 12th November 2019 in Accra Ghana. Will support 5th WAOC.

✓ Attended the 5th West Africa Organic Conference

Resource Mobilization✓ EU H2020 greenspaces call for Eastern Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda

and Ethiopia). The project is aligned to EOA. Proposal finally submitted.

CONTINENTAL SECRETARIAT HIGHLIGHTS


Resource Mobilization

✓ Meeting held today (23/10/19) with Ambassador Pietro (EU) where a customized EOA II PRODOC for the support of the Southern and Central Africa cluster was done. Link established by Peter Sidler of SDC/CSC

Meetings and Workshops

✓ Participated in the validation of the EOA policy Assessment Study in Africa by AU (17-18 October 2019). Workshop was attended by 20 participants (East, North, West and South Africa. AUC taking lead in commissioning and coordinating the study.representation).Further comments from the CSC members are currently being consolidated for feedback and finalization by the consultants.

CONTINENTAL SECRETARIAT HIGHLIGHTS


FINANCE UPDATES

✓BvAT received the first instalment in May 2019 after signing the agreement with SDC.

✓The first disbursement was USD 1,789,423.70 was credited to the EOA project account on 31st May 2019.

✓Contracts to all partners have been completed and first disbursement sent as per below schedule


FINANCE UPDATES

Country Lead Organization(Disbursment )

Kenya- KOAN 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Uganda- PELUM Uganda 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Tanzana- TOAM 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Ethopia- ISD 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Nigeria- NOAN 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Senegal- FENAB 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Benin- OBEPAB 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Mali-AOPP 100,201.98 60,121.19 40,080.79

Rwanda-ROAM 28,754.81 17,252.88 11,501.92

Subtotal 830,370.68 498,222.41 332,148.27

Support and Cementing

Afronet 19,513.01 11,707.81 7,805.20

EOA Regional Cluster-West 41,758.34 25,055.00 16,703.33

EOA Regional Cluster-East 41,758.34 25,055.00 16,703.33

ATPS 100,000.00 60,000.00 40,000.00

Subtotal 203,029.68 121,817.81 81,211.87

Total 1,033,400.36 620,040.21 413,360.14


ECOLOGICAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE PILLAR 2 AND PILLAR 5

PAULINE MUNDIA

BIOVISION AFRICA TRUST

PIPSTATUS REPORT

(JANUARY – SEPTEMBER 2019)

Octob

er


Pillar 2 - Information & CommunicationEnhancing Information and Communication Strategies among farmers in

Africa

Improving market access for EOA farmers through value chain development.01

Production of information materials in different formats on EOA for different user groups02

Monitoring and Evaluation05

Extension services and strategies to promptly respond to farmers demands for information and services re-engineered04

Develop information and communication repositories on ecological organic agriculture.03


Improving market access for EOA farmers through value chain development.01

I. Capacity building of target group on record keeping and peer review. Two day training undertaken by PGS trainer in July on improvements to be made and on record keeping as recommended by the external reviewers.

II. Finalise development of PGS manual. The manual has been finalised. Process of design and printing on going. Isembe SHG during follow up training


Production of information materials in different formats on EOA for different user groups02

Printing of training guides.Training modules produced byThe Organic Farmer (TOF)magazine project were printedfor use as information andreference learning materials.Dissemination to farmers isongoing. The modules can beaccessed here:https://www.infonet-biovision.org/tof_modules.

https://www.infonet-biovision.org/tof_modules


EOA website

home page


Website hosting and maintenance. The website (https://eoai-africa.org/) isupdated regularly, with information from partners. The information includesevents, success stories, emerging issues. Website hosting fees was paidpromptly, and maintenance services provided to our satisfaction.

https://eoai-africa.org/



Hosting services for the Busia Resource Centre.• The SINGI CBO Resource Centre has continued to serve as a one stop hub for farmers

seeking information on ecological organic agriculture.• Staff facilitated to carry out field activities


Monitoring and Evaluation051 monitoring visit undertaken in September to Kakamega Resource centre. To assess project implementationMeeting with the field staff

LessonsIt was noted there is need for more focused trainings.Adoption rates still fairly low –average of 30 – 40%


Pillar 5 - Information & CommunicationStrengthen Policy and Programme Development in support of Ecological

Organic Agriculture

Awareness raising on concept and benefits of ecological organic agriculture (EOA) among policy makers and practitioners increased.01

Documentation of EOA to create awareness02

Monitoring and Evaluation04

Sharing of learning experiences between stakeholders (researchers, policymakers and farmers) facilitated03


Awareness raising on concept and benefits of ecological organic agriculture (EOA) among policy makers and practitioners increased.01

Creating awareness to policy makers on the

benefits of EOA. A Follow up meeting held with

County Ministry of Agriculture officials.

• New officials promised to review draft MOU.

• Promised space to set up a resource centre and a

staff to support the organic desk.


Documentation of EOA to create awareness02

Printing and distribution of success stories booklet

developed in 2018. Booklet has been printed and distribution

is ongoing.

Sharing of learning experiences between stakeholders (researchers, policymakers and farmers) facilitated03

Prepare documentation on the value of EOA. One success

story on seed banking produced in video format. Copies to be

ready by end month for sharing.


GOAL:

Improved sustainablefarming practices ofsmallholder farms inWestern Kenya throughenhanced integration ofagroforestry practices by2019

STRENGTHENING ON-FARM AGROFORESTRY

PRACTICES IN KENYA


PROJECT

OBJECTIVES

Enhance the capacities of smallholder farmers and extensionagents on agroforestry practices in Western Kenya.

04

03

02

01

Integrate 10,000 agroforestry trees in small holderfarmlands by June 2019.

Support uptake of agroforestry practices by farm households through creating awareness on the value of agroforestry practices.

Carry out effective project implementation supported by a clear monitoring and evaluation framework.


Putting Theory into Practice

Establishment

and

construction of

the seed beds

On-site training

on establishment

of seed beds and

tree nurseries

Site identification and verification


Baridi Baridi group, Busia

VACATA, BusiaEvergreen WG,

Bungoma

Sinendeet Youth Bunge, Bungoma


Provision of information materials


• Project team – 2 visits made

to the community nurseries.

• Field officers – monthly

visits

• VI Agroforestry – technical

backstopping

Monitoring


Other activities

• Preparation of the Annual report for 2018. The BvAT team prepared the technical

and financial report for the year 2018 and submitted to the SSNC Programme

Officer.

• Preparation of a revised 2019 workplan and budget.

• Participation in the 1st National Agroecology Actors symposium in Uganda. The

BvAT team participated in the Symposium where the policy study findings were

presented to the participants.

• Monitoring visit by PELUM Kenya for Agroforestry project. The M&E officer of PELUM Kenya (executing Agency) undertook a monitoring visit to assess progress of project implementation.


Unreliable rainfall

Farmer reliance on rainfed

agriculture

Low availability of organic inputs

Poor market linkages

Access to poly bags


Information enables farmers make informed choices

1

2

3

Lessons learnt

Targeting farmers with a felt need improves adoption

Working with partners enhances outreach


Plans for Oct – Dec 2019

1. Monitoring visit to SINGI RC

2. Provide seedlings for AF community nursery members

Organise a 1-day

capacity building

workshop for EOA

practitioners

PGS certificate awarding/field day


CHALLENGES

1) Limited accountability by some partners - Financial pending issues with some partners in Uganda and Senegal (more details in finance report)

2) Resource mobilization still facing some challenges hence we have insufficient support to key activities like NSC, RSC and CSC meetings, Partner monitoring visits and partners capacity building trainings.

3) Limited institutional support from AU. AU needs to improve on its support to some of these institutions.

4) Struggling NOAMs that have currently been suspended from mainstream EOA-I in Uganda and Senegal – NOGAMU and FENAB.

5) Weak structures and process to drive the EOA agenda at country level. The next phase will up efforts to get CLOs and NSC to raise their mandate standards.


PROJECTS LINKED TO EOA-I

1. TURING PROJECT

2. GLOBAL ADVOCACY PROJECT

3. AGROFORESTRY PROJECT

Read more about them on the newly revamped EOA Website


Acknowledgements

African Union

Documents

PROGRESS UPDATES PHASE 1 PHASE 2 NO COST ... - EOAI-AFRICA · Conservation (SSNC) and Africa ... o Nigeria is on its 3rd draft of Organic Agriculture Act of 2017 o Tanzania, organic