[1]

This action is funded by the European Union

ANNEX 2

of the Commission Decision on the Annual Action Programme in favour of Zambia to be

financed from the 11th European Development Fund

Action Document for the "Performance Enhancement Programme for the Ministry of

Agriculture and Livestock for Better Service Delivery to Farmers"

1. Title/basic act/

CRIS number

Performance Enhancement Programme for the Ministry of Agriculture

and Livestock for Better Service Delivery to Farmers

CRIS number: ZM/FED/037-359

2. Zone benefiting

from the

action/location

Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, Zambia

The action shall be carried out at the following location: selected

districts in Zambia with the Team Leader and Project Support Unit

based in Lusaka.

3. Programming

document National Indicative Programme (2014-2020) for Zambia

4. Sector of

concentration/

thematic area

Reduced rural poverty and improved livelihoods

5. Amounts

concerned Total estimated cost: EUR 10 000 000

Total EU contribution EUR 10 000 000 (A envelope)

6. Aid

modality(ies)

and

implementation

modality(ies)

Project Modality

Indirect management with the Republic of Zambia

7. DAC code(s) 311 AGRICULTURE

31120 Agricultural development

31166 Agricultural extension

31181 Agricultural education / training

31182 Agricultural research

122 BASIC HEALTH

12240 Basic Nutrition

[2]

8. Markers (from

CRIS DAC form)

General policy objective Not

targeted

Significant

objective

Main

objective

Participation development/good

governance ☐ ☐ ☒

Aid to environment ☒ ☐ ☐

Gender equality (including Women

In Development) ☒ ☐ ☐

Trade Development ☒ ☐ ☐

Reproductive, Maternal, New born

and child health ☒ ☐ ☐

RIO Convention markers Not

targeted

Significant

objective

Main

objective

Biological diversity ☒ ☐ ☐

Combat desertification ☒ ☐ ☐

Climate change mitigation ☒ ☐ ☐

Climate change adaptation ☒ ☐ ☐

9. Global Public

Goods and

Challenges (GPGC)

thematic flagships

n/a

SUMMARY

The overall objective of this project is to support the Government of Zambia's policy

objective of achieving an inclusive, agriculture-led economic growth by helping the

smallholder farming sector successfully transition from low productivity, subsistence-based

agriculture to more profitable market-oriented production systems. Therefore, this project

aims at strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) for

provision of quality public services to small-scale farmers in extension services, research and

nutrition. This is in line with the increasing recognition that the Government, through public

services needs to actively contribute to "supporting the development of a sustainable,

dynamic, diversified and competitive agricultural sector that assures food and nutrition

security at household and national levels".

Under the three results areas, the strategic core functions of the Ministry will be strengthened.

To strengthen better service delivery, the use of evidence in policy making, planning and

budgeting, will be supported and the capacity of the Ministry's staff will be enhanced to

ensure that extension services are delivered in a manner that contributes to increased

productivity and improved food and nutrition security in small scale farming households. The

vital role of agriculture in addressing nutrition outcomes will be strengthened by better

strategic planning and mainstreaming of nutrition to agricultural services at front line.

[3]

1 CONTEXT

1.1 Sector/Country/Regional context/Thematic area

1.1.1 Public Policy Assessment and EU Policy Framework

Economic and social situation and poverty analysis

In the recent past, Zambia has achieved significant Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth

rising from -2 in 1975 and 1995, averaging between 5 and 7% per annum since 2001 and

reaching 6.7% in 2013. This impressive positive growth has been driven primarily by high

global copper prices and investments in sectors such as construction, telecommunications,

retail and manufacturing. The rebasing of national accounts shows that the Zambian economy

is actually bigger than earlier estimated and Zambia is now presented as a more service-

oriented economy. Key macro-economic indicators have improved including inflation that has

been in the single digits since 2009. Despite good prospects for a strong economic growth rate

(6.5% in 2014), significant vulnerabilities remain, mainly on account of inflationary

pressures, caused by the depreciation of the kwacha, as well as an important budget deficit

caused by an expansionary fiscal policy in 2012 and 2013.

Further, developments which have made Zambia reach middle-income status in 2011 and

have placed the country among the world’s top 10 fastest growing economies, have not

translated into commensurate development gains for the largest share of the population.

Overall, despite significant improvements in urban poverty reduction, poverty remains an

acute problem with the aggregate poverty levels at 60.5%. Although significant improvements

have been made in reducing urban poverty, poverty levels for the rural population who make

up the majority of the country's population have remained an acute problem with poverty

levels at more than 77% per cent for more than a decade. In addition, extreme poverty is most

prevalent in the rural areas with a rate of 57.7%, which is four times higher than urban

extreme poverty (13.1%). The gap between urban and rural poverty continues to widen. With

a Gini index of 57.5 in 2010, Zambia is among the countries with the highest income

inequality in the world. Indeed, 60.5% of the people of Zambia live below the poverty line in

2010 and those living in extreme poverty account for 42.3% at national level and for 58% in

the rural areas.

The preliminary results from the 2013/14 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS)

shows a significant reduction in infant mortality (IMR) from 70 deaths per 1000 live births in

2007 to 45 in 2013/14 and in under-five mortality (U5MR) from 119 deaths in 2007 to 75 in

2013/14. This clearly shows that Zambia is on course to achieve the Millennium Development

Goal (MDG) on IMR and U5MR. Under-five nutrition, however, still remains a development

challenge for Zambia. The preliminary results from the 2013/14 ZDHS shows that there was a

marginal reduction in stunting from 45% in 2007 to 40% in 2013/14 while the percentage of

children underweight remained static at 15%. The high prevalence of stunting is well above

the average in sub-Saharan Africa and is affecting Zambia’s potential to meet economic and

development targets because it has long-lasting irreversible effects on a child’s development,

including mental development, health, school performance and ultimately work productivity .

National development policy

Government development priorities are framed by the vision of “a prosperous middle-income

nation by 2030” that “provides opportunities for improving the well-being of all”. This theme

is echoed in the ruling party's manifesto (2011-2016) that advocates for “a better Zambia for

all” and in the revised Sixth National Development Plan (R-SNDP) 2013-2016, which aims

[4]

“to accelerate growth further and to make it more relevant to improving the livelihood of the

Zambian people, especially in rural areas”.

Given that about 80% of the population depends on agriculture as their main source of

livelihood, the agricultural sector has the greatest potential to significantly impact the

Government’s poverty reduction aspirations and to achieve increased economic

diversification outside mining. This policy shift to refocus the agricultural sector’s

development strategies and programmes towards drivers of pro-poor agricultural growth is at

the core of the draft National Agriculture Policy (NAP) and the National Agriculture

Investment Plan (NAIP) 2014-2018 under the Comprehensive African Agriculture

Development Programme (CAADP).

The NAP and the Agricultural Sector Chapter of the R-SNDP acknowledge that to achieve

this goal the Government must focus on providing public goods that are indispensable to

creating broad-based and inclusive agricultural growth such as agricultural research, effective

agricultural extension services, control of pests and diseases of national importance, and the

development of basic rural infrastructure. Vision 2030 and the NAP also recognise as key the

"gender responsive sustainable development" of the agriculture sector with an emphasis on

women empowerment. In line with Government policy that agricultural development should

be private sector driven, the role of the Government will therefore be confined to policy

formulation, strategic planning, enforcement of legislation, regulation and inspection, and

monitoring and evaluation of overall sector performance while the private sector will play a

dominant role in driving the development agenda of the agricultural sector including input

supply, farm mechanisation, irrigation development, output marketing and agro-processing.

Sector context: policies and challenges

Despite the sector policy framework that identifies and documents the immediate and long-

term causes for the agricultural sector’s poor performance, the strategic areas of intervention

and the respective roles to be played by the public and private sectors, there is still a gap

between stated policy intentions and their realisation. Although budgetary allocations to the

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock have increased during the last seven years, they remain

below the recommended CAADP minimum of 10% and expenditure remains overwhelmingly

driven by the Government’s maize purchases through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and

input subsidies under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). These maize subsidy

programmes consumed 52% of the 2014 agriculture budget, and much more if considering

extra-budgetary and/or supplemental funding. Emphasis on the two programmes diverts

resources from critical programmes with potential to contribute to the desired growth in the

agricultural sector such as irrigation development, extension service delivery and research

while crowding out the private sector. The need to establish a better balance between the

maize driven policies and those promoting diversification and alternative agricultural

production methods is subject of regular policy and political dialogue between the authorities

and cooperating partners.

Under-nutrition faces similar constraints. On the one hand it has become more prominent on

the country’s policy agenda with several widely acknowledged achievements including major

presidential commitments made at the London Nutrition for All Summit in June 2013 and the

development of the 2011-2015 National Food and Nutrition Strategic Plan (NFNSP), founded

in the 2006 National Food and Nutrition Policy. On the other hand, even if the NFNSP,

developed through a consultative process, has provided a common multi-sectoral framework,

implementation has been slow. Similarly, little progress has been achieved with the London

pledges. As a result, addressing malnutrition through nutrition sensitive interventions in

Zambia still requires significant attention and resources.

[5]

The high expenditure on subsidy programmes and inadequate expenditure on key reforms

reflect the challenge posed by the lack of consistency between stated policies and

implementation as well as the weak links between planning, budgeting and expenditure. The

underperformance of the agricultural sector is also linked to institutional weaknesses and

organisational constraints that prevent MAL from delivering on its core functions such as

extension and research, directly affecting farmers' productivity and undermining the potential

role of the private sector.

1.1.2 Stakeholder analysis

The main stakeholders of the project are Zambian farmers, MAL and the NFNC. Within the

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the proposed project will pay specific attention to its

following branches: i) Department of Human Resource and Administration, responsible inter

alia for staff recruitment and management as well as for the revision and development of

training curricula; ii) Department of Policy and Planning, the key counterpart to the project in

MAL coordinates the development of an integrated M&E system for MAL, is in charge of

policy, planning and budgeting functions as well the annual crop forecast and post-harvest

surveys; iii) Department of Agriculture (DoA) in charge of promotion of crop diversification,

sustainable use of agricultural land, water management, yield improvement practices, food

processing and utilisation at household level as well as extension service delivery

strengthening. The Food and Nutrition Unit is under the DoA; iv) Department of Livestock

Development, in charge of enhancing livestock production and productivity through notably

the provision of extension services by a network of Livestock Assistants, v) Department of

Fisheries, responsible for promoting increased sustainable fish production through capture

fisheries and aquaculture, productivity and value-addition and to this end prepared to employ

more extension and research staff; vi) Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI),

responsible for developing crop varieties, issuing plant import permits and phytosanitary

certificates and carrying out inspections (of farms, nurseries, fields, etc) to prevent new plant

pest and diseases from entering the country. ZARI working in collaboration with DoA will

develop and enhance Research – Extension linkages; and vii) Department of Veterinary

Services, in charge of enhancing livestock health through the development and

implementation sustainable disease and vector control strategies, through notably the

provision of extension services by a network of Veterinary Assistants.

Around 75% of Zambians in the agricultural sector are smallholder farmers who grow staple

food for subsistence and at times, in modest quantities, for the market. They are traditionally

undercapitalised, make limited use of equipment, irrigation, improved seed, or appropriate

fertiliser, and operate largely away from the nation’s transport systems. A second economy

consists of medium-sized and large commercial farms that are capital-intensive and enjoy

relatively easy access to credit and other financial services. These two communities require

different, appropriately adaptive approaches to reform. Subsistence farmers need “meaningful

extension services that will help them diversify, access to appropriate financial products and

capacity-building in trading and processing activities” while commercial farmers require less

government intrusion into agricultural markets, smoother systems of regional and

international trade, and more effective and transparent public-private partnerships1”. Despite a

focus on smallholders, the proposed project will support MAL to better meet the needs of the

farming community as a whole as per its core service delivery mandate.

1 See AgCLIR: ZAMBIA Legal and institutional reform in Zambia’s Agricultural Sector, USAID, February 2011

[6]

The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) was established as a statutory body

by the Government of Zambia in 1967 and was reactivated in 2011 to raise awareness on

nutrition and integrate nutrition across government services and interventions. Consequently,

the NFNC should be the direct counterpart of the Food and Nutrition Unit of MAL.

1.1.3 Priority areas for support/problem analysis

The proposed project aims to address some of the following challenges:

Limited technical capacity of officers: There are a number of Agricultural Training

Institutions under the auspices of MAL that offer diploma and certificate courses, in-service

training for extension staff, practical training for farmers in improved farm practices, and

higher level training to progressive (lead) farmers. There has been no systematic upgrading of

the curricula of these institutions to meet the current demands of the sector and little attention

has been paid to institutional management and training methodology for their teaching and

management staff. The practice of in-service refresher training has collapsed preventing

technical staff from regularly updating their knowledge and skills, and leading to a gradual

decline in quality service delivery and customer service. This area is however attracting

growing interest from both the Government and Cooperating Partners (CPs) and initial steps

have been made with EU support to re-invigorate induction and in-service training.

Ineffective Human Resources (HR) management: For the Ministry to efficiently deliver on

its mandate on the basis of a technical and administrative human resources establishment of

11,349, a solid HR management system is needed to: appropriately manage staff recruitment,

selection and placement including promotions and transfers, payroll as well as skills needs

assessment and training delivery. However, challenges persist including the low quality of

human capital due to insufficient staff skills development (see above), inadequate staffing

levels with only about half of existing positions being effectively filled and lack of incentives

especially at the block and camp levels, all resulting in demotivation and high staff turnover.

Weak synergies between departments lead to poor coordination and delayed collective action.

However, progress is being achieved notably under the Performance Enhancement

Programme (PEP) with the development of a HR database as a first step towards the

establishment of a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) connected with the Cabinet's

Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) and the conduct of several trainings

for HR staff based on a skills audit.

Weak extension services: The provision of agricultural extension services represents the

critical front line output of MAL. The extension officer to farmer ratio in Zambia was found

to be 1:900 in 2011, which falls short of the recommended level of 1:400. This situation is

further aggravated by outdated technical knowledge among extension officers and insufficient

requisite equipment needed go into the field to conduct trials and demonstrations with

farmers. Moreover, extension cannot function properly without a continuous flow of

appropriate innovations through strong linkages with research, which are currently weak.

However, progress is being made with the support of the Japanese Government and the EU to

develop a National Agriculture Extension Strategy. Sustained efforts in innovation and

implementation are required to achieve wide impact and to reverse the current situation.

Inadequate contribution and dissemination of research: Despite wide recognition of the

importance of investing in research to identify and introduce to farmers technologies that can

increase crop productivity, prevent and control diseases of national economic importance or

help Zambia’s farming community to become more resilient to climatic variability and

climatic change, spending on agricultural research has experienced a downward trend for the

past decades. As a result, a number of government research programmes are no longer being

[7]

carried out due to a lack of adequate resources and trained personnel. However, in recent

years successful joint ventures between Zambian and international research centres have been

supported by Cooperating Partners leading to revitalisation and diversification of research

outside maize production. A mechanism to allow for needed interlinkages between

agricultural vocational training, extension and research is needed as a significant body of

research findings have remained dormant.

Weak monitoring, evaluation and information management systems: MAL has an Early

Warning Unit which generates quality statistics on crop production and input utilisation by

the farmers through the Crop Forecast (CFS) and Post-harvest (PHS) Surveys. The main

challenge faced within the unit is the limited capacity to analyse and interpret the wealth of

statistics generated into various M&E products that can inform policy formulation, investment

planning and decision making. Further, MAL has operated over the years without an

integrated sector-wide M&E system which resulted in fragmentation in the M&E approach.

However, in 2012, MAL embarked on developing an integrated sector-wide M&E system.

Key milestones met so far include the development of an M&E manual with a set of results-

based indicators that has been field-tested and will start being rolled out in 2015. To oversee

the implementation of the sector-wide M&E system, an M&E Technical Working Group was

established. Further, an M&E Coordinating Group has recently been set up under the

Ministry's leadership with the Cooperating Partners involved in supporting M&E, with a view

to avoiding duplications and parallel systems.

Underdeveloped nutrition mainstreaming capacity: Although Zambia is seen as having

"medium" nutrition governance (WHO 2009), it has very high stunting levels of children and

the highest prevalence of undernourishment in Africa. Hardly any improvement has been seen

over the past twenty years. A recent analysis highlights the main reasons for this scenario to

include weak inter-sectoral collaboration around nutrition that is due to (i) a lack of highly

qualified staff to accelerate nutrition actions in various sectors and at all levels; (ii) limited

mandate of the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) to convene high level

actors; and (iii) insufficient funding for nutrition activities by the government. The Food and

Nutrition Unit of MAL is both under-capacitated and disempowered to effectively influence

the Ministry's development plans and programmes. The agricultural extension services are

also poorly capacitated by nutrition officers and nutrition is not sufficiently integrated into

their training. Nutrition is not reflected either in the Ministry's training curricula or in its

extension and research programmes or M&E systems.

2 RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Risks Risk

level

(H/M/L)

Mitigating measures

The Government of Zambia fails to

remain consistent with its policy

commitments. This would certainly

highly jeopardise the expected

results/wide impact of ongoing

development projects.

M Use of CP-coordinated policy dialogue

with Government to help the latter to

ensure the required minimum level of

policy consistency and predictability.

The data and knowledge base

resulting from strengthened

research and M&E systems are not

M Use of CP-coordinated political and

technical dialogue with Government to

steer the policy change process towards

[8]

being used towards better evidence-

based policy making.

needed reforms as evidenced through both

research and M&E.

Use of CPs partnerships with civil society

organisations and non-state actors to

strengthen the demand for inclusive

delivery of services.

Uncoordinated actions among the

12 CPs actively involved in

agriculture support in Zambia could

result in wasting resources due to

duplications, counter-productive

inconsistencies in agricultural

development approaches and loss

of credibility in policy dialogue

with Government.

L The Agriculture CP Group is an efficient

tool for information exchange and

consensus building among CPs relating to

policy dialogue with Government.

Assumptions

Zambia’s political situation remains stable allowing for the economy to continue

growing on the basis of sound macro-economic policies pursued by the Government.

Agriculture and food and nutrition security continue attracting strong political attention

and commitment in the country.

There is adequate ownership of the reforms and changes advocated by the proposed

project in the Ministry both at central and local levels.

3 LESSONS LEARNT, COMPLEMENTARITY AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

3.1 Lessons learnt

The Cooperating Partners have committed to support together the sector development with

resources made available up to USD 700 million over the period 2014-2018. Given the

difficult policy environment, most support is managed outside of the public sector, and only

3% of this financial envelope is to be spent on issues related to Pillar 6 "Institutional

Strengthening" of the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) 2014-2018.

The ongoing PEP, funded by the EU under the 10th

EDF for a total budget of EUR 8 900 000,

is one of the few interventions aimed at providing capacity development and institutional

strengthening to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. In its third year of

implementation, the programmes mid-term evaluation has provided the following lessons that

have been capitalised upon to formulate the proposed project: clear definition of the changes

that are to be achieved is necessary for a good programme design, yet application of

flexibility in the face of changing circumstances and priorities seems to be key to addressing

key constraints.

While recognising the political economy which dictates that maize is the main staple food in

Zambia and shall remain the key political factor in determining agricultural policies over the

years to come, the PEP programme and the ongoing programme Scaling Up Conservation

Agriculture (CASU) show that MAL is paying more attention to alternative policies. In this

regard, the support provided under PEP to cost-efficiently update the farmers' register in 36

districts has been critical to raise the interest of the Minister of Agriculture in the e-voucher-

based distribution of inputs. Its potential application under the Farmers Input Support

Programme could pave the way for a system that would leave more space for an engagement

of the private sector. Through the CASU programme, the Ministry's extension workers are

[9]

promoting diversification and crop rotation, applying more efficient and more

environmentally friendly cultivation practices.

A further strengthening of the technical capacity of the Ministry will contribute to instilling a

culture of change and developing associated systems at all levels. Finally, strengthening the

service delivery of the Ministry may contribute to raising small-holder farmers' traditions and

demands, which could ultimately have a transformational effect leading to or facilitating

further policy changes.

The Change Management Teams established at central and provincial levels need to be further

strengthened in order to have impact at service delivery. Key achievements under PEP

recommended for further support: the upgrading of MAL's ICT systems, the strengthening of

induction and in-service training, and the completion and implementation of a solid M&E

system.

3.2 Complementarity, synergy and donor coordination

The European Union is funding under the 10th

EDF the EUR 8 900 000 Agriculture Sector

Performance Enhancement Programme (PEP) that aims at strengthening the capacity of the

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to enable it “to create a conducive environment and

deliver appropriate services to spur agricultural growth”. The Programme focuses on 4 results

towards 1) “change management and service delivery improved”; 2) “sector policy, planning

and financial management improved”; 3) “human resources management and ICT

strengthened” and 4) “monitoring and evaluation systems improved”. The proposed project

intends to consolidate and/or develop further several achievements obtained under PEP. It

also supports the EUR 11 100 000 Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up Project (2013–

2017) that aims at rolling out conservation agriculture in 48 districts by resorting to the

Ministry's block and camp extension officers and the recently developed pool of Master

Trainers to promote the technology at stake.

The 10th

th EDF Support Programme to Public Finance Management, Accountability and

Statistics includes a component (EUR 3 300 000) aimed at improving Government effective

monitoring, evaluation (M&E) and measurement of performance of the national development

plan and specific sector plans. Support for the development of a government-wide MIS

system is provided in partnership with Germany and the UK and activities include setting-up

an effective management information system at central and sectoral level in selected

ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Other Cooperating Partners offer support for the sector, with a wide variety of

interventions, instruments and objectives. The key initiatives aiming at supporting capacity

building and institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with

potential links to the proposed action, are described below.

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supports the Rural Extension

Service Capacity Advancement Project (RESCAP) (2009-2014/ USD 18.9 million) enhancing

the quality of the extension services provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Synergies have been built with the PEP notably in relation with the harmonisation of

extension services across the country, the design and implementation of management training

and the reinstatement of induction and in-service training.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development is supporting the Smallholder

Productivity Promotion Programme (SAPP) (2010-2017 / USD 24.6 million) addressing the

MAL policy focus of private sector driven growth based on improved productivity of the

small-scale sector. Coordination has been ensured with PEP through an agreement to

[10]

cooperate in field testing and rolling out of an M&E Manual for the Ministry, and both

projects would share the responsibility for training relevant staff of the Ministry at central and

decentralised levels.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting the

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to develop and implement with the assistance of the

Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System for Southern Africa (ReSAKSS-

SA) a monitoring and evaluation framework to track the implementation and subsequent

impacts of all key agricultural strategies’ and policies’ targets focusing on the Comprehensive

Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Under the Feed the Future

Programme, USAID works with international agricultural research centres to build the

capacity of Zambia’s national agriculture research institutions and promote adoption of

improved crop varieties and low cost technologies for small scale farmers. The research

programmes, amounting to USD 18 million, focus on areas related to this intervention, such

as nutrition, more specifically bio-fortified crops and aflatoxins mitigation.

The World Bank is also supporting research in Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi under a

regional project funded through a USD 90 million credit line. The "Agricultural Productivity

Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA)" (2013-2019) seeks to improve technology

generation and dissemination within and among participating countries by building capacity

within national research and development systems and enhancing regional collaboration.

Investments in Zambia will focus on the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute research

stations that carry out research on food legumes. Support will also be provided to the Ministry

of Agriculture and Livestock to strengthen technology dissemination capacity, and to the

Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) to build capacity for research on cereals

grown.

With a 50% grant from the Government of the Netherlands, the Government of Zambia is

preparing a project for the Upgrading and Rehabilitation of Education Infrastructure of

Agriculture Colleges in Zambia (EUR 24 200 000). This project seeks to ensure that small-

scale farmers, youth and extension officers have access to quality agriculture practical

vocational education through the implementation of infrastructure improvements, renovation

works, provision of equipment, curricula development, technical assistance and training, and

the subsequent operation and maintenance of the 10 existing colleges in Zambia.

As per the division of labour agreed upon in Joint Assistant Strategy for Zambia (JASZ) II, 12

Cooperating Partners are supporting the agricultural sector in Zambia. They form the

Agriculture Cooperating Partners Group, established as a coordinating and dialogue forum

towards increased concentration and rationalisation of efforts in both geographical and sector

terms, as well as to enhance national ownership. Three members of the group are selected on

a rotational and yearly basis to form the "Troika", which meets with the Ministry of

Agriculture and Livestock, coordinates Cooperating Partners’ inputs into government policy

and facilitates support for implementation of national policies. The EU has very recently

handed over the chair of the Agricultural Cooperating Partners Group but remains an active

member of it and is a member of the Agriculture M&E group. Finally, the EU takes an active

part in the Nutrition Cooperating Partners Group under the Health Sector Group. At project

implementation level close coordination will be ensured with the Government of Finland,

IFAD and the World Bank (M&E), JICA (agricultural extension), USAID (research) and the

Government of the Netherlands (agricultural training institutions).

[11]

3.3 Cross-cutting issues

The proposed project will address: i) Implementation of the MAL Gender Guidelines ii)

Climate change: the agricultural sector is challenged by the impact of climate change that

translates itself into recurrent and intensifying droughts, waterlogging, seasonal floods, long

dry spells and poor rainfall distribution. Climate resilient, agricultural practices such as

conservation agriculture and technologies will be promoted to reduce the vulnerability of rural

livelihoods; iii) Environmental sustainability: unsustainable farming practices, use of wood

fuel and over-exploitation of forests are contributors to environmental degradation leading to

low agricultural production and productivity. Relevant mitigation strategies will be promoted;

and iv) HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS prevalence in Zambia is among the highest worldwide and

affects an estimated 14% of the productive age (15–49 years) group including the Ministry’s

workforce and farmers leading to decreased productivity and incomes. HIV/AIDS

sensitisation within the Ministry at all levels has been promoted under PEP. This will

continue under the proposed project.

4 DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION

4.1 Objectives/results

The Overall Objective is to support the Government of Zambia's policy objective to reduce

rural poverty and enhance food and nutrition security.

The Project Purpose is to improve the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

to deliver quality services to smallholder farmers towards increased productivity and

enhanced diversity of Zambia's agricultural sector.

These objectives are in line with outcomes 1 and 2 of the “reduced rural poverty and

improved livelihoods” section in the National Indicative Programme (2014–2020) for

Zambia.

The project will focus on the following three result areas:

1. Improved use of evidence for policy making, planning and budgeting in MAL

underpinning service delivery to rural households;

2. Enhanced capacity of MAL staff to coordinate and provide extension services that

contribute to increased productivity and improved food/nutrition security in small scale

farming households;

3. Increased dietary diversity of women and children in poor rural households through more

effective nutrition-sensitive farmer extension and services facilitated by MAL.

These results have been formulated with the aim to target key areas where change is deemed

necessary and where tangible results can be achieved within the lifetime of the intervention to

both strengthen the institutional capacity of MAL and to improve smallholder farmers’

livelihoods and nutrition security. For each of the three results preliminary areas of

intervention have been formulated.

4.2 Main activities

Activity Area 1.1 Policy formulation and analysis; and legislative reforms

Support will be provided to continue the undertaking of policy studies and dissemination of

policy briefs as well as for reviewing, evaluating and developing agricultural policy

documents and related legislative instruments. Capacity building in policy formulation and

analysis will be continued.

[12]

Activity Area 1.2 Strengthening of Planning and Budgeting standards and tools

Following the development of Government’s Planning and Budgeting standards, MAL will be

supported in strengthening planning and budgeting standards and tools. This will include

training for selected staff of the Policy and Planning Department in budget development,

analysis and the management of the budget database. In addition, selected staff from the

Department of Policy and Planning and the Department of Human Resources and

Administration will be trained in manpower planning, currently not addressed systematically

during the planning and budgeting process.

Activity Area 1.3 Development and strengthening of the Ministry's Farmer

Registration, M&E, Agriculture Statistics and Early Warning Systems

A new harmonised M&E Manual encompassing the key functions of MAL has been

developed and is being followed up with training of M&E officers at MAL Headquarters,

Provincial and District level in results-based M&E. In this programme, MAL will be

supported in developing and testing systems that will ensure continued tools development and

training of staff in results-based M&E at service delivery levels, including strengthening the

link between camp level staff collecting data and the technical support from their provincial

and district M&E staff. The operationalisation of the MAL M&E system will need to be

complemented with the design and implementation of the M&E database that will host the

information on all indicators in the M&E Manual and in turn the database of MAL will need

to be linked up to the Government-wide M&E system under development.

The rolling out of the Farmer Registration will be further supported and developed to ensure

cost effective and continuous updating and use of the information. In provinces where farmer

registration has been completed, the programme will support the development of the

methodology and implementing re-demarcation and harmonisation of Crops, Livestock and

Fisheries camps in order to ensure effective, coordinated and unified extension delivery in

Crops (agriculture), Livestock and fisheries camps, in line with R-SNDP and the NAIP. The

Ministry's Agricultural Statistics and Early Warning Section will be supported to develop

analytical capacity to more fully utilise the data from the crop forecast and post-harvest

surveys for poverty and food security analyses. The monitoring of the MAL gender guidelines

will be supported.

In addition to designing training systems in the information processes and data collection

processes, design and acquisition of relevant ICT based, modernised tools will be supported.

Activity Area 1.4 Strengthening Change Management

The Change Management Teams (CMTs) established at central, provincial and district levels

will be supported in further defining their role and holding of regular CMT meetings,

including continued support to the change management process as well as strengthening

cross-sectorial collaboration notably in nutrition. This will include the development of change

management materials as issues evolve at the implementation level, designing training in

leadership and management focusing on the district level staff and strengthening the

application of the Annual Performance Appraisal System (APAS) at all levels of the sector as

a tool for human resources management.

Activity Area 2.1 Strengthen extension management

MAL is developing a National Agricultural Extension Strategy (NAES) and “General

Operational Guidelines for Agricultural Extension Service Providers for Small-Scale Farmers

in Zambia”. Once finalised and distributed to the Ministry's staff and other extension service

providers across the country, initial and continuous systems will be developed to

[13]

operationalise the guidelines. Support will be provided to develop and provide extension

officers with handbooks and manuals on how to strengthen the management of crops,

livestock, fisheries and animal health. This support will include the use of web-based

extension material and the respective Ministry's departments will be assisted in making

recommendations and training materials available in electronic form and accessible via the

Ministry's website. Support will be provided for strengthening extension management and

enhancing inter-departmental coordination of extension delivery, across the MAL District

Agricultural Committees (DACs) will be reinvigorated to provide a multi-stakeholder forum

at this level.

Activity Area 2.2 Institutionalise joint research-extension planning and strengthened

dissemination

Enhancement of linkages between research and extension, one of the measures stipulated in

the National Agricultural Policy (NAP) and the NAES, will be supported. Innovation on

integrated dissemination mechanisms and building on tested tools for dissemination will be

supported by joint research-extension planning and linked to the systematic training

provision, which include dissemination of research findings, particularly for extension staff.

Where possible the use of ICT will be developed. Additionally, support will be provided to

promote the use of local innovations at farm level on improved livestock productivity, and

inventorisation, characterisation, conservation and sustainable utilisation of indigenous animal

genetic resources.

Activity Area 2.3 Strengthening training provision for MAL staff

Support will be provided to the Ministry's Department of Human Resources and

Administration in order to continue institutionalising the Induction Training Programme for

all new entrants to the Ministry and initiating a Ministry's in-service training programme on

the basis of a thorough training needs assessment of frontline staff. All departments of MAL

will be covered, with a view to introducing innovative technologies and appropriate extension

techniques for effective adoption of improved technologies by small scale farmers.

The cadre of Master Trainers will be sustained and utilised for in-service training activities. In

addition, the programme will collaborate with a project to be co-funded by the Government of

Zambia and the Government of the Netherlands to ensure that training needs identified at

local level and research findings are incorporated into the Agricultural Training Institutions'

staff development and curriculum development programmes.

The Agricultural Training Institutes will be supported in revising curriculum and developing

practical up-dating courses. Staff in-service training records will be continuously updated in

the Human Resource Information System developed under the PEP by the Training Section of

the Department of Human Resources and Administration.

Activity Area 3.1 Position Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) within MAL for more

nutrition-sensitive services and policies across MAL with strengthened direction and

technical capacity

A capacity assessment of Food and Nutrition management will be undertaken with respect to

defining a new mandate, role and strategy within the Ministry and to determine where

capacities and skills need strengthening. Training and technical assistance will be identified to

define and support the new role and functions, including identifying the required additional

human, material and financial resources required.

[14]

Mainstreaming of nutrition-sensitive services across relevant Departments of the Ministry and

MAL representation in multi-sectoral platforms on nutrition convened under the framework of

the National Food & Nutrition Strategic plan (2011 -2015), will be supported. Assistance will

be provided to the newly established MAL Nutrition Technical Working Group (inter-

departmental) as a platform to discuss the strengthening of links between agriculture and

nutrition, including encouraging participation of other sector ministries and development

partners, where the agenda would benefit from experiences and lessons learnt beyond the

Ministry. The project will support the MAL Nutrition Technical Working Group within and

outside MAL. It is envisaged that the TWG will be used as a platform to coordinate nutrition

in MAL and engage in broader multi-sectoral debate on nutrition at different levels.

MAL will be guided to focus on interventions that have nutrition outcomes and technical

capacity to enhance food and nutrition knowledge and skills will be built at national,

provincial and district levels and in all departments. These technical capacities will include

advocacy, communication, training and partnerships in achieving nutrition-specific and

nutrition sensitive interventions.

MAL will also be strengthened to establish an effective nutrition communication and

advocacy strategy which will improve effective communication on nutrition to the target

communities. This may include the production of Information Education and communication

materials and other nutrition education materials.

Activity Area 3.2 Mainstream nutrition into agricultural, livestock and fisheries

services at district level

A strategy and work plan will be developed within the frameworks of the MAL Strategic Plan

2014-2016 and the National Food & Nutrition Strategic Plan 2011-2015, including advocacy,

communication, training and partnerships in support of achieving more effective links

between agriculture and nutrition. It will also build upon the nutrition “orientation” sessions

already being conducted in the Ministry. A MAL (interdepartmental) nutrition

implementation work-plan stating actions that MAL will take to contribute to combating

under nutrition will be developed. MAL will be assisted in identifying technical partnerships

(other ministries, research organisations, development partners) supportive of delivering the

work plan. Support will be provided to mainstream nutrition into agriculture, livestock and

fisheries services at district level. Central to the mainstreaming will be the roll-out of the

training and implementation of the operational guidelines for food and nutrition officers

developed by MAL.

The focus of the programme will be on: (i) smallholder production and consumption of

nutrition foods (including vegetables, fruit, legumes, indigenous cereals, roots and tubers bio-

fortified crops, fish and small livestock) as a source of important nutrients, vitamins, minerals

and proteins; (ii) promotion of the consumption of bio-fortified crops, including the orange

flesh sweet potatoes, orange maize and the iron- and zinc-enriched beans to improve the

nutritional status of rural households. Additionally, the programme will promote bio-fortified

seed/vines for the production of nutrient-enhanced varieties; (iii) post-harvest handling,

including aflatoxin control, processing, storage and value addition; (iv) food and nutrition

information and training; (v) improving food consumption patterns; (vi) HIV/AIDS

prevention, care and mitigation. Particular attention will be given to the empowerment of

women farmers. These nutrition-sensitive activities will be integrated into the research,

training and extension services outlined under Result 2. Furthermore, nutrition indicators

relating to this result will be incorporated into the M&E system outlined under Result 1.

[15]

4.3 Intervention logic

The design of the project reflects the way that the Ministry operates with policies, plans and

budgets formulated at headquarters level (using information from lower levels) and being

further cascaded down to lower levels for implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Project

activities thus follow this route, with geographical scope defined in variable manner

depending on the concrete needs in each results area and availability of resources. The

proposed project will build upon and further develop initiatives of the Ministry, including

building on results achieved through ongoing support, such as the PEP.

5 IMPLEMENTATION

5.1 Financing agreement

In order to implement this action, it is foreseen to conclude a financing agreement with the

partner country, referred to in Article 17 of Annex IV to the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.

5.2 Indicative implementation period

The indicative operational implementation period of this action, during which the activities

described in section 4.1 will be carried out and the corresponding contracts and agreements

implemented, is 60 months from the date of entry into force of the financing agreement.

Extensions of the implementation period may be agreed by the Commission’s authorising

officer responsible by amending this decision and the relevant contracts and agreements; such

amendments to this decision constitute non-substantial amendment in the sense of Article 9(4)

of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 322/2015.

5.3 Implementation modalities

Indirect management with the partner country

This action with the objective of "Reduced rural poverty and enhanced food and nutrition

security" through "improved capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to deliver

quality services to smallholder farmers towards increased productivity and enhanced diversity

of Zambia's agricultural sector" may be implemented in indirect management with the

Republic of Zambia in accordance with Article 58(1)(c) of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) No

966/2012 applicable by virtue of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2015/323 according to the

following modalities:

The Republic of Zambia (National Authorising Officer) will act as the contracting authority

for the procurement and grant procedures. The Commission will control ex ante all the

procurement procedures except in cases where programme estimates are applied, under which

the Commission applies ex ante control for procurement contracts above EUR 50 000 (or

lower, based on a risk assessment) and may apply ex post control for procurement contracts

up to that threshold. The Commission will control ex ante the contracting procedures for all

grant contracts.

Payments are executed by the Commission except in cases where programmes estimates are

applied, under which payments are executed by the partner country for ordinary operating

costs, direct labour and contracts below EUR 300 000 for procurement and up to EUR

100 000 for grants.

The financial contribution covers the ordinary operating costs incurred under the programme

estimates.

[16]

In accordance with Article 190(2)(b) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 and Article

262(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 applicable by virtue of Article 36 of

Regulation (EU) 2015/323 and Article 19c(1) of Annex IV to the ACP-EU Partnership

Agreement, the Republic of Zambia shall apply procurement rules of Chapter 3 of Title IV of

Part Two of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012. These rules, as well as rules on grant

procedures in accordance with Article 193 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012

applicable by virtue of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2015/323, will be laid down in the

financing agreement concluded with the partner country.

5.4 Scope of geographical eligibility for procurement and grants

The geographical eligibility in terms of place of establishment for participating in

procurement and grant award procedures and in terms of origin of supplies purchased as

established in the basic act and set out in the relevant contractual documents shall apply.

The Commission’s authorising officer responsible may extend the geographical eligibility in

accordance with Article 22(1)(b) of Annex IV to the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement on the

basis of urgency or of unavailability of products and services in the markets of the countries

concerned, or in other duly substantiated cases where the eligibility rules would make the

realisation of this action impossible or exceedingly difficult.

5.5 Indicative budget

Activity EU

contribution

(EUR)

Indicative

third party

contribution

5.3.1 Indirect Management with Partner Country

(Programme Estimates) 5 750 000 0

Technical Assistance (Service Contract) 3 500 000 0

5.9 – Evaluation, 5.10 - Audit 350 000 0

5.11 Communication and visibility 50 000 0

Contingencies 350 000 0

Grand total 10 000 000 0

5.6 Organisational set-up and responsibilities

This project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock through a

series of Programme Estimates with external support from a Technical Assistance team that

will be contracted through a service contract upon completion of an international tender

procedure expected to be launched using a suspensive clause once the Commission Decision

has been taken. A Programme Steering Committee (PSC), chaired by the Permanent Secretary

of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and made up of representatives of MAL

Departments, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance, Agricultural Training Institutions,

European Union Delegation, National Authorising Officer, and other relevant stakeholders

will oversee and validate the overall direction and policy of the project (or other

responsibilities to be specified).

[17]

5.7 Performance monitoring and reporting

The day-to-day technical and financial monitoring of the implementation of this action will be

a continuous process and part of the implementing partner’s responsibilities. To this aim, the

implementing partner shall establish a permanent internal, technical and financial monitoring

system for the action and elaborate regular progress reports (not less than annual) and final

reports. Every report shall provide an accurate account of implementation of the action,

difficulties encountered, changes introduced, as well as the degree of achievement of its

results (outputs and direct outcomes) as measured by corresponding indicators, using as

reference the logframe matrix (for project modality) or the list of result indicators (for budget

support). The report shall be laid out in such a way as to allow monitoring of the means

envisaged and employed and of the budget details for the action. The final report, narrative

and financial, will cover the entire period of the action implementation.

The Commission may undertake additional project monitoring visits both through its own

staff and through independent consultants recruited directly by the Commission for

independent monitoring reviews (or recruited by the responsible agent contracted by the

Commission for implementing such reviews).

5.8 Evaluation

Having regard to the nature of the action, mid-term and final evaluations will be carried out

for this action via independent consultants contracted by the Commission.

The mid-term evaluation will be carried out for problem solving and learning purposes, in

particular with respect to capacity development progress. The final evaluation will be carried

out for accountability and learning purposes at various levels (including for policy revision).

The Commission shall inform the implementing partner at least 2 months in advance of the

dates foreseen for the evaluation missions. The implementing partner shall collaborate

efficiently and effectively with the evaluation experts, and inter alia provide them with all

necessary information and documentation, as well as access to the project premises and

activities.

The evaluation reports shall be shared with the partner country and other key stakeholders.

The implementing partner and the Commission shall analyse the conclusions and

recommendations of the evaluations and, where appropriate, in agreement with the partner

country, jointly decide on the follow-up actions to be taken and any adjustments necessary,

including, if indicated, the reorientation of the project.

Indicatively, two contracts for evaluation services for a total budget of EUR 200 000 shall be

concluded under a framework contract in 2019 and 2022.

5.9 Audit

Without prejudice to the obligations applicable to contracts concluded for the implementation

of this action, the Commission may, on the basis of a risk assessment, contract independent

audits or expenditure verification assignments for one or several contracts or agreements.

Indicatively, four contracts for audit services for a total budget of EUR 150 000 shall be

concluded under a framework contract between the years 2016 and 2022.

[18]

5.10 Communication and visibility

Communication and visibility of the EU is a legal obligation for all external actions funded by

the EU.

This action shall contain communication and visibility measures which shall be based on a

specific Communication and Visibility Plan of the Action, to be elaborated at the start of

implementation and supported with the budget indicated in section 5.5 above.

In terms of legal obligations on communication and visibility, the measures shall be

implemented by the Commission, the partner country, contractors, grant beneficiaries and/or

entrusted entities. Appropriate contractual obligations shall be included in, respectively, the

financing agreement, procurement and grant contracts, and delegation agreements.

The Communication and Visibility Manual for European Union External Action shall be used

to establish the Communication and Visibility Plan of the Action and the appropriate

contractual obligations.

[19]

APPENDIX - INDICATIVE LOGFRAME MATRIX (FOR PROJECT MODALITY)

Intervention logic Indicators Baselines (incl. reference year)

Targets (incl. reference year)

Sources and means of

verification

Assumptions

O

ver

all

ob

ject

ive:

Imp

act

To support the Government of Zambia's

policy objective to reduce rural poverty

and enhance food and nutrition security.

• Incidence of rural poverty*

• % of children under 5 who are

stunted*

•Crop diversification index*

77% (2011)

tbc

40% (2013-2014)

1.04 (2012)

50% by 2018.

tbc

30% by 2018

0.83 (2016)

NAIP (2014-2018)

NIP Reviews and

Evaluations: targets,

baselines as sources of

verification as indicated

in the NIP

External factors do not

prevent improved service

delivery from leading to

higher-level outcomes.

Sp

ecif

ic o

bje

ctv

e(s)

:

Ou

tco

me(

s)

S.O.: To improve the capacity of the

MAL to deliver quality services to

smallholder farmers towards increased

productivity and enhanced diversity of

Zambia's agricultural sector.

Outcomes/results:

1: Improved use of evidence in MAL to

drive service delivery.

2. Enhanced capacity of MAL to co-

ordinate extension services.

3. Increased dietary diversity of women

and children in poor rural households.

1) Number of technologies

disseminated in fisheries,

livestock, crops and soils.

2.1) In Service Curricula

updated with best practices in

gender sensitive extension

services contents.

2.2) Number of Curricula in

Agricultural Training Institutes

updated in line with

developments in the ag sector.

3) % of extension workers using

Operational Guidelines for

Food and Nutrition.

0; 2 and 5 annually

(project start)

not updated (project

start)

not updated (start)

0 (project start)

2; 2 and 5 annually by

project end

updated by project end

updated by project end

80% by project end

Key sources:

Policy Study Reports

MAL Performance Audit

Annual project progress

reports

Mid-term, final project

evaluation and annual

progress reports

Idem

Crop Forecasting and

Post-Harvest Surveys

Reports

There is adequate ownership

of the reforms and changes

advocated by the proposed

project in the Ministry both at

central and sub-national

levels.

The level of financial,

organisational, and human

resources mobilised by the

Government are adequate to

sustain the reforms advocated

by the project over longer

term.

Key

Output

Intervention logic Indicators Baselines

(incl. reference year)

Targets

(incl. reference year)

Sources and means of

verification

Assumptions

Key outputs for Expected Result 1:

Capacity building and technical

assistance to strengthen policy and

analysis, planning and budgeting

standards and tools, development of

MAL's Farmer Registration;

strengthening MAL's M&E Agriculture

Statistics and Early Warning Systems.

1.1) Number of Policy Advisory

notes prepared and approved by

management annually.

1.2) Number of policies

developed and reviewed.

1.3) Number of quarterly M&E

reports generated within one

month of the end of the quarter.

1.4) Number of M&E indicators

present in the MAL M&E

manual against which data is

collected consistently.

1.5) Number of Gender

Disaggregated Indicators

reported in the CFS, PHS and

1.1 = 1 (project start)

1.2 = 1 (project start)

1.3 = 0 (project start)

1.4 = 0 (project start)

1.5 = CFS: 3,

PHS: 3, M&E Report:

0 (project start)

1.1 = 4 by end

1.2 = 4 by end

1.3 = 4 yearly

1.4 = All by end

1.5 = CFS: 10 by end;

PHS: 10 by end; M&E

report: All (when

applicable)

Mid-term and final

project evaluation reports

and annual project

progress reports

MAL M&E Reports

MAL M&E Reports

Yearly CFS and PHS and

quarterly MAL M&E

Reports

MAL champions and fosters

improved quality, use and

sharing of data.

MAL ensures that planning

and budgeting processes are

applied and monitored across

the entire institution.

The Ministry allocates

sufficient resources to

effectively support data

collection and analysis.

[20]

M&E Reports.

1.6) Number of nutrition

indicators are formulated and

incorporated in updated MAL

M&E Manual.

1.6 = 1 (project start) 1.6 =6 indicators by end

of project

MAL M&E Reports

Key outputs for Expected Result 2:

Technical assistance, training and

provision of equipment to improve

extension management, institutionalise

joint research-extension planning and

strengthened dissemination.

2.1) Harmonised Operational

Guidelines for Agriculture,

Livestock and Fisheries

Extension Service Providers in

Zambia are operationalised.

2.2) Number of tested

technologies by joint research-

extension teams disseminated.

2.3) Number of Provinces and

Districts with fully functional

HR Information System.

2.4) % of MAL extension

officers trained on the best

practices in gender sensitive

extension services contents.

2.5) % of farmers registered in

the Farmer Register.

2.1 = N/A (guidelines

not finalised)

2.2 = to be established

with the baseline

study

2.3 = to be established

with the baseline

study

2.4 = 0 (project start)

2.5 = Partial

registration of

farmers, to be

measured at inception

2.1 = guidelines are

applied by end of project

2.2 = 10 at project end

2.3 = HR information

on all serving MAL staff

included in HRIS and

linked to Payroll by end

of project

2.4 = 80% at project end

2.5 = 100% farmers

registered and 100%

districts able to regularly

up-date farmer registers.

Annual project

monitoring reports,

Midterm and end of

project evaluation reports

MIS reports

MAL Performance Audit

MAL Performance Audit

The Ministry allocates

sufficient resources to

effectively support the

delivery of extension services

to smallholder farmers.

Key outputs for Expected Result 3:

Technical assistance and training to

mainstream nutrition into policy and into

services at district level.

3.1) Number of women

receiving nutrition education at

camp level.

3.2) Number of male and

female farmers involved in on-

farm processing, storage and

value addition.

3.3) Number of households

using improved crop varieties,

animal and fish breeds.

3.4) (i) minimum dietary

diversity (6-23 months); (ii)

individual dietary diversity

score (24-59 months); and (iii)

individual dietary diversity

score (women of reproductive

age).

Baselines and Targets

to be established

during the baseline

study

Annual project

monitoring reports

Midterm and end of

project evaluation reports

Annual Food and

Nutrition work plans

monitoring reports

MAL supports the

institutional reforms needed

to mainstream nutrition across

the Ministry as well as to

coordinate with other relevant

sectors.

Trainings provided to SSFs

and especially to women are

translated into concrete

actions at household level in

terms of production and

consumption of nutritious

foods, post-harvest handling

incl. processing, storage and

value addition.

NB: Indicators aligned with the relevant programming document are marked with '*'.