2nd PROGRESS REPORT
APRIL 1, 2013 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Table of Contents
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................ 1
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 2
1100 Improved Capacity in the Project Areas .............................................................................................. 3
1110 – Capacity gaps identified ................................................................................................................ 3
1120 – Capacity interventions identified and reviewed ........................................................................... 4
1130 – Extension staff ToT & specialist trainings ..................................................................................... 4
1140 – MSc/BSc education of public sector staff ..................................................................................... 5
1160 – Training educational institutions in gender sensitive VC approaches & interventions ................ 6
1170 – Trainings/mentoring suppliers of inputs & services ..................................................................... 6
1180 – Training/mentoring of farmers ..................................................................................................... 7
1190 – Training/mentoring of other value chain actors ........................................................................... 8
1200 Increased Access to Knowledge in the Project Areas .......................................................................... 8
1210 – Knowledge gaps identified ............................................................................................................ 9
1220 – Knowledge interventions identified and reviewed ....................................................................... 9
1230 – Knowledge centers and extension system equipped ................................................................... 9
1240 – Knowledge capturing, sharing and learning events .................................................................... 10
1250 – Project website and social media ............................................................................................... 10
1300 Increased Access to Project Results Beyond Project Areas ............................................................... 10
1310 – Promotion interventions developed & reviewed ....................................................................... 11
1320 – Promotional interventions and distribution of materials ........................................................... 11
1330 – Promotional activities – Regional, National & International ...................................................... 12
1340 – Content of EAP further developed/expanded ............................................................................ 13
1350 – Video, radio programs on interventions, VC approaches and lessons learned, prepared and
broadcasted ............................................................................................................................................ 14
2100 Increased Availability of Value Chain Interventions in Project Areas ................................................ 14
2110 – Value chains, target areas, actors and service providers identified ........................................... 14
2120 – Value chain interventions identified and reviewed .................................................................... 14
2130 – Potential value chain interventions introduced.......................................................................... 15
Dairy value chain ................................................................................................................................. 15
Large ruminants (beef) value chains ................................................................................................... 16
Small ruminants (meat) value chain ................................................................................................... 17
Poultry (eggs and broiler) value chain ................................................................................................ 17
Apiculture value chain ........................................................................................................................ 18
Irrigated Fruits value chain ................................................................................................................. 18
Irrigated vegetables value chain ......................................................................................................... 19
Irrigated fodder value chain................................................................................................................ 19
Credit................................................................................................................................................... 19
Environment........................................................................................................................................ 20
Gender ................................................................................................................................................ 21
2140 – Demonstration materials for value chain interventions provided ............................................. 25
2200 Increased Documentation of Project Results/Lessons ...................................................................... 25
2210 – Research priorities identified and reviewed annually ................................................................ 25
2220 – Diagnostic studies completed ..................................................................................................... 26
2230 – Action studies completed ........................................................................................................... 26
2240 – Commodity impact studies completed ....................................................................................... 26
2250 – Project RBM ................................................................................................................................ 26
Project management .................................................................................................................................. 26
Reports .................................................................................................................................................... 26
Recruitment of Staff................................................................................................................................ 26
Establishment of Offices ......................................................................................................................... 27
Procurement ........................................................................................................................................... 28
Project Coordinating Team Meetings ..................................................................................................... 28
Regional Project Implementation Committee (RPIC) Meetings ............................................................. 28
Project Steering Committee Meeting ..................................................................................................... 28
Preparation of Quarterly Financial Reports ............................................................................................ 28
Abbreviations
AGP
AI
ATVET
BoA
BoW
CA
CIDA
CRPs
EAP
EIAR
EADDP
EMDTI
ARDPLAC
FTC
GDP
GIS
GoE
GO
GTP
HABP
HH
HQ
ICARDA
ILRI
IPMS
IWMI
LA
LIVES
MoA
NGO
PA
PARS
PIP
PMF
PSNP
RARI
RBM&E
SLM
SNNPR
ToT
WBS
Agricultural Growth Program
Artificial Insemination
Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training College
Bureau of Agriculture
Bureau of Water
Contribution Agreement
Canadian International Development Agency
CGIAR Research Programs
Ethiopian Agricultural Portal
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
East Africa Development Project
Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Technology Institute
Agricultural and Rural Development Partners Linkages Advisory Council
Farmer Training Center
Gross Domestic Product
Geographic Information System
Government of Ethiopia
Government Organization
Growth and Transformation Plan
Household Asset Building Project
Household
Head Quarter
International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas
International Livestock Research Institute
Improving Productivity and Market Success
International Water Management Institute
Livestock Agency
Livestock Irrigation Value Chain for Ethiopian Smallholders
Ministry of Agriculture
Non-government Organization
Peasant Association
Participatory Agricultural Radio Series
Project Implementation Plan
Performance Management Framework
Productive Safety Net Project
Regional Agricultural Research Institute
Results Based Monitoring and Evaluation
Sustainable Land Management
Southern Nation Nationalities People’s Region
Training of Trainers
Work Breakdown Structure
1
Executive Summary
This second progress report covers the period April 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013. During this
reporting period LIVES has progressed in many aspects. Interventions and activities on capacity
development, knowledge management, promotion, value chain development and research have all
kicked off at all project levels. The level of implementation of project activities however varied by
commodity & district which was related to recruitment of staff. The project team is now almost all
on board with quite a few staff members who joined the project in this reporting period.
To operationalize planned interventions, the project stimulated the formation of livestock and crop
commodities. This was followed by intensive coaching & mentoring for commodity interventions.
Priority was given to establishing interventions on the ground over formal training activities which
have been postponed to the second half of the year. However, many coaching & mentoring activities
have taken place in order to transfer skills to service providers, farmers & other value chain actors.
A total of 392 extension staff (342 male & 60 female), 179 farmer input suppliers (144 male & 37
female) and 294 farmers (225 male & 69 female) were coached/mentored during the reporting
period. Demonstration of fodder & fruit interventions also took place in a total of 33 FTCs in SNNP,
Amhara & Oromia Regions.
Selected public sector staff have started enrolling at universities for their MSc degrees and
developing their concept notes for research; knowledge centers are being set up; and an action
research on use of ICT tools for better extension (e-book readers) has started. Promotion of
experiences and lessons from partners; commodity value chain development especially in fodder
and irrigated fruits and vegetables has progressed. To increase the participation and collaboration
of value chain actors, commodity platforms were established at the different levels. Various study
tours have also taken place at national level and one to Kenya for the Project Steering Committee
members.
LIVES continues to move ahead by working with partners to contribute to the enhancement of
income and wealth for smallholders and other value chain actors (both male and female) through
increased and sustained market off-take of high value livestock and irrigated crop commodities.
Linkages were also established with several projects and programs with whom learning can take
place over a long period of time including zonal and national programs such as AGP/LMD, GRAD,
EDGET, AfricaRising, the FeedSeed Project & AgriProfocus. The LIVES project was also a major
partner in the World School Milk day which was organized by the Oromia Livestock Agency and will
also be organized in other Regions over the coming year.
Identification/refinement of value chain interventions continued during this reporting period and
interventions were operationalized based on what was happening on the ground. In the process,
key input/service providers and value chain actors were identified for implementation of the first
year intervention plan. Important production interventions included the introduction and
management of fodder and improved fruits and vegetable varieties and improved crop & livestock
management while key input/service interventions focused on production of important inputs such
as forage seeds/planting materials in FTCs and private farms. The various marketing channels for
2
the targeted products were assessed and linkages with producers were initiated/improved. In
terms of documentation/research activities, during this reporting period, environmental
assessments of major commodities were initiated in the regions. The International Water
Management Institute (IWMI), a major LIVES partner, also submitted project proposals which are
being reviewed by LIVES HQ staff.
In terms of Project Management, the LIVES team is now almost complete and many new staff
members have come on board during the reporting period. Offices have been established at the
Regions, procurement of vehicles was completed and technical reports have been submitted by
Regional and Zonal staff on a regular basis. Focal persons have been established at District, Zonal &
Regional levels and the four Regional Project Implementation Committees (RPICs) have also been
formed.
1100 Improved Capacity in the Project Areas
Improved capacity of (♀♂) livestock and irrigation agriculture VC actors and input/service
suppliers to participate in improved gender sensitive and environmentally sustainable VC
development models in project areas
In the past six months, the project gave priority to establishing interventions on the ground,
rescheduling most formal training activities to the second half of the year. To compensate for the
formal training, project staff/partners coached and mentored the service providers, farmers and
other value chain actors.
Some special training was conducted for extension staff on the use of e-readers and the project also
provided resource persons for specialized training on request by partner institutions.
To equip project staff for their coaching and mentoring activities, a familiarization workshop on
basic concepts and interventions was organized from April 22 – 24, 2013 in Adama, Ethiopia.
Another workshop on gender and environmental assessment was organized in Adama for project
staff from August 19 – 22, 2013.
Identification of MSc/BSc sponsorships was initiated and regions have started submitting their list
of candidates.
During this reporting period, based on the identified gaps in capacity in year 1, plans have been
finalized to conduct various trainings in the coming 6 months. 1110 – Capacity gaps identified
Capacity gaps in value chain analysis and development, market oriented extension, at regional,
zonal and district level agricultural office staff were identified in year 1 (April 2012 – March 2013)
during zonal stakeholder meetings and project planning meetings. Additional gaps were identified
during the team’s regular visits to districts as well as during the commodity platform meetings
initiated/held during the past 6 months (see 1240). IWMI conducted a rapid assessment of
irrigation schemes in Amhara and Tigray Regions to develop a training program on improving
irrigation water management. Assessments for Oromia & SNNP Regions will continue in the
following 6 months.
3
The recently recruited agribusiness expert assessed business and credit proposal development
skills of value chain actors and service providers in Tigray and SNNP Regions in order to develop a
course on business skills/credit proposal writing.
Research partner institutions identified the need for training on research project proposal writing
(ARARI) and research methods (TARI) and grazing area management (TARI).
1120 – Capacity interventions identified and reviewed
The proposed capacity development activities for Year 2 (April 2013 – March 2014) have been
rescheduled for the second half of the year to give priority to the introduction of value chain
interventions as this reporting period coincided with the rainy season. The emphasis is still on
national and regional capacity building on market oriented approaches/extension and value chain
development.
The proposed capacity development interventions were further qualified to fit to the local
situations (district and PA level) in consultation with focal persons, office heads, and during
innovation platform meetings. Capacity development interventions will be in the form of short term
trainings, experience sharing visits, and demonstrations.
Following the gender mainstreaming & environmental impact assessment workshops that took
place in Adama in August (see 1130), the LIVES Regional & Zonal teams are preparing action plans
to provide gender mainstreaming training as well as trainings for other identified gaps for partners
& value chain actors in the districts.
IWMI prepared a hands on training program (1 month) for improving water management in
selected irrigation schemes, which was reviewed during a one day meeting with the regional
project team that took place in October, details of which will be included in the next 6 monthly
report. Involvement of the Regional Project Implementation Committees (RPIC) in the review of the
capacity development activities have been scheduled for November in SNNP, Amhara & Oromia
Regions. The Tigray RPIC discussed the mechanisms of nominating MSc awards at regional, zonal &
district levels and agreed that the nominations should reflect the interests of the LIVES project as
well as the districts’.
1130 – Extension staff ToT & specialist trainings
Regional and zonal project staff received training on gender assessment and mainstreaming and
environmental assessment during the training workshop that took place in Adama from August 19
– 22, 2013. (http://lives-ethiopia.wikispaces.com/Gender+and+Value+Chain+Training+Workshop)
In addition, the LIVES team also conducted trainings on the use of e-readers for 37 (7 female)
targeted staff from the Regions, Zones & Woredas.
LIVES provided resource persons to conduct trainings for researchers from TARI, who were given
two trainings on Livestock Research Methods & Grazing Management. These trainings took place on
September 8 & 10, 2013 with 62 participants out of which 12 were female.
4
In the Central and Eastern zones of Tigray, public extension district experts (subject matter
specialists and development agents) were trained on the job in improved fruit production. In
addition, district extension experts from the two zones were trained in improved forage
development. The LIVES team also provided practical and continuous capacity support on
improved management of planted fruits and livestock feed.
A summary of these events can be found on Annex 1.
Coaching/mentoring of extension and staff on technical subjects required for the introduction of
the selected interventions took place in all regions, zones and districts. Topics included production
of inputs and advanced output production technologies.
Table 1 summarizes the staff coached and mentored in each of the Regions/Zones/District so far,
including the project’s focal persons at District, Zonal and Regional levels, Zonal, District and PA
level specialists/DAs.
Table 1 Extension staff coached in Regions, Zones and Districts
Region
Amhara
SNNP
Tigray
Oromia
Extension staff coached by region
Type of staff
Male
Female
Focal person
13
0
SMS
27
4
DA
31
8
Total
71
12
Focal person
9
0
SMS
26
6
DA
13
5
Total
48
11
Focal person
10
0
SMS
79
6
DA
19
1
Total
108
7
Focal person
13
0
SMS
39
15
DA
63
15
Total
115
30
Overall total 342
60
Total
13
31
39
83
9
22
18
49
10
85
20
115
13
54
78
145
392
1140 – MSc/BSc education of public sector staff
During the reporting period, the project initiated the MSc/BSc support program for public sector
extension and research staff at federal, regional, zonal & district levels. Letters were sent out to the
various offices of agriculture to request for a list of students that met the minimum criteria set out
by the project (as agreed during the PSC meeting on April 30, 2013). The lists of students have now
been received from all 4 regions and letters have been sent to the various universities to enroll
these students. It was however, a little difficult to get qualified female students from all locations
5
due to the low number of female employees in the offices and their failure to fulfill the minimum
CGPA requirement. Annex 2 has the details of the students who will be supported by LIVES.
1160 – Training educational institutions in gender sensitive VC approaches &
interventions
Short term trainings in value chain & agribusiness courses to take place in the next reporting period
are being prepared for educational institutions. During this reporting period however, the LIVES
Research Coordinator assisted in the development of a graduate program on Agribusiness and
Value Chain Management (ABVCM) at Axum University. He helped find instructors, assisted in
developing the curriculum, facilitated a workshop on the draft curriculum and helped finalize it as
well. The MSc program has now enrolled the first batch of MSc students and is finalizing admission
for the second batch. This MSc program is perfectly in line with LIVES’ market oriented and
agribusiness based agricultural development approach.
1170 – Trainings/mentoring suppliers of inputs & services
Guidelines & formats for summarizing location specific coaching & mentoring activities of inputs &
services suppliers were prepared and circulated to Regional staff in order to keep track of all such
activities.
During this reporting period, project staff began coaching/mentoring producers of inputs such as
fruit seedlings and forage and vegetable seed/materials, pullet and bee colony producers including
individual farmers, and youth/women groups. Tables 2 provide an overview of the coached input
producers.
Table 2. Farmer input producers
Type of input
Forage seed 1
Region
Amhara
Oromia
SNNPRS
Total
Fruit seedlings
Amhara
SNNPRS
Total
Vegetable seeds Amhara
Oromia
SNNPRS
Total
Pullets
Tigray
Amhara
Oromia
Total
Bee colony
Amhara
Total
Overall total
Male
7
57
13
77
18
20
38
10
7
3
20
1
4
2
7
2
2
144
Female
0
0
9
9
3
11
14
3
0
4
7
0
2
0
2
5
5
37
6
Total
7
57
22
84
21
31
52
13
7
7
27
1
6
2
9
7
7
179
1
2
Some of the farmers involved in forage production may also be involved in forage seed production
Females in male headed households are usually included in these coaching/mentoring sessions
Contacts were also made with private sector service providers in each of the selected Districts to
create linkages with producers.
1180 – Training/mentoring of farmers
Guidelines & formats for summarizing location specific coaching and mentoring activities of
demonstration farmers were prepared during this period and circulated to Regional staff in order
to keep track of all such activities.
In Amhara region, mentoring to a large number of farmers took place in all districts on dairy,
poultry, beef, small ruminants, beekeeping, irrigation water management, and on forage and fruit
production.
Farmers in Tigray region were coached on improved forage development and the linkages between
improved forage beneficiary farmers with available urban market were assessed. The assessment
indicated that there is promising market for dairy, small ruminants, poultry, vegetables, fruits and
forage products in the nearby district, zonal and regional towns. Farmers were also coached on
improved fruit production.
In Oromia Region, discussions took place with farmers about capacity gaps and the farmers who
will receive training on grafting & fruit management have been selected and potential trainers have
been identified. In addition, the importance of developing & using forage genetic materials was
explained to farmers as well as partners. Farmers in West Shoa have been selected for apple
production training and also to participate in an experience sharing tour. Discussions were held
with Ethio-veg fruit farm for future trainings of farmers & DAs on tomato pest control &
management.
In the SNNP region, resource persons were identified for the practical training on prioritized
commodities in the region (such as apple and mango grafting).
During the past six months, farmers were coached on fruit tree and fodder production and
utilization. Table 3 provides an overview of the farmers being coached and mentored on specific
interventions in the past six months.
Table 3. Farmers coached and mentored on various commodities
Commodity
Apiculture
Poultry
Region
Tigray (bee forage)
Amhara
Oromia
Total
Amhara
SNNPRS
Male
59
35
58
152
17
17
Female
8
15
2
25
20
14
7
Total
67
50
60
177
37
31
Total
Large ruminants
Amhara
Oromia
SNNPRS
Total
Small ruminants Tigray
(including forage Amhara
development)
Oromia
SNNPRS
Total
Dairy (including Tigray
fodder
Amhara
interventions)
Oromia
SNNPRS
Total
Irrigated Fruits
Tigray
Amhara
SNNPRS
Total
Irrigated
Amhara
Vegetables
Oromia
SNNPRS
Overall total
1
34
26
62
13
101
154
32
229
12
427
103
362
239
18
722
172
114
22
308
57
159
9
225
34
1
0
2
3
21
18
64
0
103
13
57
73
3
146
20
40
6
66
20
44
5
69
68
27
62
15
104
175
50
293
12
530
116
419
312
21
868
192
154
28
374
77
203
14
294
Females in male headed households are usually included in these coaching/mentoring sessions
1190 – Training/mentoring of other value chain actors
Guidelines & formats for summarizing location specific coaching and mentoring activities of other
value chain actors were prepared and circulated to Regional staff in order to keep track of all such
activities.
Identification of the other value chain actors, in each of the Regions was initiated and these were
included in the commodity platforms (see 1240).
1200 Increased Access to Knowledge in the Project Areas
Increased access to knowledge by (♀♂) livestock and irrigation agriculture VC actors and
input/service suppliers in project areas on improved gender sensitive and environmentally
sustainable VC development models
Several knowledge management activities have taken place during this quarter including the
establishment of 4 knowledge centers in the LIVES project areas and distribution of 41 e-readers.
Study tours (3 in the Regions) were conducted at various levels to share experiences and learn from
others. The LIVES website is now quite active with several blogs posted on a regular basis. Each
Regional team also initiated the establishment of crop and livestock commodity innovation
platforms which will be used, amongst others, to initiate the generation and sharing of knowledge.
8
26 commodity platform meetings were held in this reporting period, details of which can be found
in Annex 1.
1210 – Knowledge gaps identified
Knowledge gaps at regional, zonal and district levels were identified in Year 1. Additional
knowledge gaps of service providers, farmers and other value chain actors on commodity value
chain development were identified during field visits by the team and during commodity platform
meetings.
1220 – Knowledge interventions identified and reviewed
The proposed knowledge management interventions for year 2 were implemented according to
plan. Further review of some of the interventions during district level consultations resulted in finetuning some of the interventions i.e. i) commodity innovation platforms which had been planned
for the zones, were deemed necessary at district level as well, ii) establishment of district level KC
required different approaches based on available space. It was noted for example that in Amhara
region, that there are no library facilities in any of the districts. Therefore, agricultural extension
service providers (knowledge brokers) have no access to reading or reference materials in an
organized way.
1230 – Knowledge centers and extension system equipped
During the reporting period, some equipment and furniture for the knowledge centers was
purchased and 4 knowledge centers were set up (the list of equipment and furniture that was
purchased can be found on Annex 3).
Zonal Coordinators for LIVES Zones in Amhara uploaded several reference materials on agricultural
extension experts’ computers. Attempts are also being made to pool all available reading materials
from experts to store them in the Knowledge Center.
Knowledge center rooms that have been allocated in the SNNP Region were visited and this activity
will continue in the other regions during the next reporting period. Also, in the SNNP Region, the
status of existing knowledge centers (established by IPMS) in the Sidama Zone Bureau of
Agriculture, the Regional Bureau of Agriculture & the Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARI)
have been assessed for possible revamping. Refurbishment of future knowledge centers as well as
allocation/construction of rooms at Regional, Zonal & Woreda levels and assignment of KC
managers was also followed up during this reporting period.
In regions, distribution of the LIVES brochure and project documents to Zonal & Woreda partners
took place.
The IPMS summary video was finalized and distributed to stakeholders and also posted on the
LIVES website during this reporting period. Also, three gender videos (which were produced by
ETV) were duplicated and distribution to LIVES sites and other stakeholders has been initiated.
9
In addition, LIVES staff at HQ, Regions & Zones have been continuously taking pictures & videos of
different activities that have been taking place and all of this will be maintained on the LIVES server
at HQ for future use.
1240 – Knowledge capturing, sharing and learning events
Several commodity platform meetings (26) on both crop and livestock took place during this
reporting period at district level. Members selected were value chain actors and service providers
engaged in the defined commodity development. These commodity platforms will ensure
knowledge sharing and participatory decision making. Participation of women was ensured in
these meetings. An overview of such events can be found on Annex 1.
E-readers were set up and loaded with relevant documents after which targets were selected, study
documents prepared and distribution began coupled with baseline data gathering and trainings on
the use of the device (also see 2230). 41 e-readers were distributed out of which 7 were given to
women. The distribution of the e-readers will continue until the end of November 2013. The
remaining e-readers will be distributed in Jimma Zone (9), Oromia Region (3) & East Shoa Zone (1).
Details of the e-readers that have been distributed thus far can be found on Annex 4.
Study tours took place in the regions to share experiences in various aspects such as forage
development practices, modern poultry rearing methods and many more. In addition, existing
knowledge related to improved poultry, irrigated crop seed production, improved beekeeping and
other livestock commodities were discussed with TARI researchers in Tigray. New ideas were also
shared with the private dairy & poultry investors & cooperatives.
At HQ level, the LIVES Project Steering Committee members traveled to Kenya from September 30
to October 4 to review potential value chain interventions for dairy and irrigated agriculture.
Lessons learned and potential interventions will be applied to the project. The detailed report for
the study tour can be found in Annex 5.
1250 – Project website and social media
The LIVES website interface has been updated and GIS data of the project has also been
incorporated (www.lives-ethiopia.org). Blogs from the regions and elsewhere have been posted on
the LIVES website periodically throughout the reporting period (25 blogs posted during the
reporting period). The LIVES brochure has been translated into Amharic & Oromiffa and
distributed to various partners. The LIVES quarterly newsletter with input from staff has also been
published. In Tigray, printed fruit and forage manuals were supplied as guidelines to OoARD fruit &
forage experts. In Oromia, a brochure for World School Milk Day was prepared.
1300 Increased Access to Project Results Beyond Project Areas
Increased access to project generated gender sensitive and environmentally sustainable
results and lessons learned by (♀♂) value chain actors and service providers outside the
project area
10
During this reporting period the project established linkages with projects and programs with
which learning can take place over a longer period of time, including zonal programs, national
programs such as AGP/LMD, GRAD, EDGET, AfricaRISING, the FeedSeed project, and AgriProfocus.
The project also presented/promoted itself during a special session in the annual Ethiopian Society
for Animal Production (ESAP) conference and presented papers on its intervention strategies
including a presentation on Gender.
A major promotional event organized by the Oromia Livestock Agency and LIVES was the World
school milk day, which was attended by, amongst many others, students from 5 elementary schools
in Suluta. The day was intended to stimulate the interest in developing school milk programs, and
targeting future generations to consume dairy products. The program included displays and
tastings of dairy products by private companies, dramas and discussions on dairy development.
LIVES project staff have also partnered with the LMD project in Tigray, Amhara and the SNNPR in
organizing their respective regional World School Milk day celebrations and this will be highlighted
in the next 6 monthly report.
1310 – Promotion interventions developed & reviewed
During the reporting period, several meetings took place in the regions where LIVES staff promoted
the importance of the value chain approach for sustainable commodity development to other
projects, partners & farmers. In addition, gender mainstreaming, partnership, and market oriented
commodity development was also discussed during these meetings.
1320 – Promotional interventions and distribution of materials
Contacts were made with projects/ programs operating in the Regions/Zones/Districts with whom
LIVES will collaborate/learn during the project life to share experiences and/or to complement
each other’s activities.
In Amhara Region, field days are being organized at Mecha district in collaboration with the
regional Livestock Agency to demonstrate the new calves born and milking cows as a result of mass
insemination using estrus synchronization hormones. The participants expected at the field days
are policy makers, experts and the community. Field days are also being organized for Livestock
Experts & DAs in Bahr Dar Zuria to promote the performance of improved forage crops planted in
FTCs. Other field days will also take place in all districts during the next reporting period to
promote LIVES project interventions.
In SNNP region, the project was introduced to stakeholders who participated in the consultative
meeting for the LMD project. There was also participation by LIVES Regional staff in platform
meetings organized by the Graduation with Resilience to Achieve Sustainable Development (GRAD)
project where participants were introduced to the LIVES project. Briefings were also given to
various stakeholders such as the Regional BoA, Zonal administrators, Universities and the Regional
agricultural research centers about the project objectives, goals, strategy and approach.
11
Discussions were held in Tigray with GIZ and Farm Africa to introduce the LIVES project and
explore possible collaboration. Meetings also took place with TARI livestock researchers about
LIVES’ livestock and irrigated crops development interventions in Tigray. New ideas were
promoted with dairy and poultry investors as well as cooperatives.
In Oromia distribution of IPMS publications was discussed with AGP-Oromia during the reporting
period.
In addition to these regional linkages, LIVES established linkages with ILRI implemented projects in
Ethiopia i.e. AfricaRISING, the BMZ funded FeedSeed project and ILRI’s CRP 3.7.
AfricaRISING is currently conducting research on production and value chain interventions in the 4
Regions (1 district in each Region). Assistance has been provided by LIVES for value chain
mapping/assessment of selected livestock commodities in the selected Districts. The GIS
methodology for delineation of dairy and butter production areas was also introduced. In addition,
the “Guidelines on market oriented extension” were provided to AfricaRISING staff.
The FeedSeed project will provide and transfer the technical and business knowledge & skills
needed to develop sustainable forage seed systems to enable forage integration into livestock
farming systems to help poor farmers adapt to climate change. The project will stimulate and
support development of forage crop seed businesses which sell forage seed to poor livestock
keepers. The project will collaborate with LIVES on assessment of feed supply systems and
developing seed production by farmers and groups.
The CRP 3.7 project in Ethiopia is focusing on community based selection/breeding of small
ruminants in various sites, one of which coincides with a LIVES project site (Atsbi). Lessons learned
on small ruminants value chain development will be exchanged with LIVES.
Linkages with AgriProfocus are continuing by participation in working groups/committees on
gender mainstreaming and agri-business finance. Discussions have also been held with the AGP
focused Livestock Marketing Development (LMD) and the EDGET projects to share ideas and
complement each other’s activities.
1330 – Promotional activities – Regional, National & International
At HQ, a poster about the LIVES project was prepared and presented at ILRI’s Annual Program
Meeting (APM) and other events that followed. A greeting card for the Ethiopian New Year was also
prepared and distributed (hard copies as well as electronic ones).
The Ethiopian Society of Animal Production held its 21st annual conference from August 28 – 30,
2013 in Addis Ababa and during this conference LIVES had a presentation on the project’s
knowledge management strategy & approach. A number of LIVES staff from headquarters as well as
the Regions participated in this conference. Also, an abstract on “LIVES Dairy value chain
development: distinguishing between fluid milk and butter channels” was prepared and presented
during this conference.
12
In Amhara region, plans are in place to celebrate the School Milk Day in collaboration with the
AGP’s Livestock Market Development (LMD) project in Bahr Dar & Gondar during the next
reporting period.
In SNNP region, the project was introduced to stakeholders who participated in the consultative
meeting for the LMD project.
In Tigray region, LIVES staff participated in a number of events such as the regional conference for
soil and water research and Open Forum for Agricultural and Rural Development meeting.
Discussions were held about the LIVES approach with stakeholders in Oromia. Further discussions
also took place to ensure alignment of work plans with partners. A site visit by gender staff from
ILRI’s CPR 3.7 took place during this reporting period. The World School Milk day successfully took
place in Oromia and various international & government organizations were partially responsible
for the sponsorship of the event. The project staff also participated in farmers’ field days and other
events organized by different organizations.
At headquarters, presentations were made about the LIVES project to a visiting group of students
from Iowa University as well as from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Global Health Field
Course. LIVES was also represented in a RED&FS meeting on “Integration of a New Livestock,
Pastoralism Component within the RED&FS Structure”.
Participation in external events attended by LIVES staff are detailed on Annex 6.
Two papers were published during the reporting period:

Gebremedhin Woldewahid, Berhanu Gebremedhin, Dirk Hoekstra and Azage Tegegne 2013.
Moving towards resilient farming in northern Ethiopia. International Journal for Rural
Development, vol.47 (2): 40-42, 2013

Gebremedhin Woldewahid, Berhanu Gebremedhin, Dirk Hoekstra, Azage Tegegne and
Dawit Woldemariam. 2013. Market oriented beekeeping development: A nexus within the
rural-urban value chain actors. This publication has been accepted as a poster presentation
and assumed to be published as conference paper in TROPENTAG 2013 workshop, Germany
A paper entitled “Knowledge management and use of ICTs for market oriented agricultural
development in Ethiopia” has been submitted for the Technical Center for Agricultural & Rural
Cooperation’s (CTA) ICT4Ag meeting which will take place in Kigali, Rwanda in November 2013.
The LIVES Knowledge Management & Communications Expert will attend this meeting and present
the paper.
1340 – Content of EAP further developed/expanded
During the reporting period, options for upgrading the EAP were presented and discussed with the
KM4Dev peer assist group. In addition, several manuals and documents were uploaded on the EAP
where 3,976 visits were recorded during the reporting period.
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1350 – Video, radio programs on interventions, VC approaches & lessons
learned, prepared and broadcasted
Discussions are underway with Farm Radio International (FRI) regarding a proposal they
submitted to LIVES.
2100 Increased Availability of Value Chain Interventions in Project
Areas
Increased access to improved gender sensitive and environmentally sustainable VC
interventions by (♀♂) livestock and irrigation agriculture VC actors and input/service
suppliers in the project areas
Identification/refinement of value chain interventions continued during this reporting period and
interventions were operationalized based on scrutiny of situations on the ground. In the process,
key input/service suppliers and value chain actors were identified for implementation of the first
year intervention plan.
Key production interventions included introduction and management of fodder and improved fruits
and vegetables varieties and improved crop and livestock management.
Important input/service interventions focused on production of key inputs such as forage
seeds/planting materials in FTCs and private farms as well as the establishment of and or
improvement of private fruit seedling nurseries.
Teams assessed the various marketing channels for the targeted products and initiated/improved
linkages with producers.
2110 – Value chains, target areas, actors and service providers identified
At headquarters, guidelines were prepared for regional teams to target project activities (areas,
actors & service providers) in the first year. In addition, GIS maps and guidelines were prepared for
regional teams to identify fluid milk and butter production areas.
These guidelines were used by the Regional teams which resulted in the selection of target PAs for
production interventions (including production of inputs) as well as the identification and initial
assessment of other value chain actors and service providers in each District/Zone/Region.
Whenever possible, teams tried to cluster first year Peasant Associations (PA) considering a
watershed development framework.
2120 – Value chain interventions identified and reviewed
The proposed value chain interventions for the selected commodities were reviewed in the zonal
workshops held in year 1. Regional teams, assisted by HQ staff, organized individual meetings/field
visits with district/zonal staff and other value chain actors to discuss/refine and schedule
interventions for the intervention areas (see 2110). Also, livestock and irrigated commodity
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platforms were organized to discuss/review interventions (see 1330). Refinements of initial
interventions are discussed in 2130.
2130 – Potential value chain interventions introduced
In the past six months, LIVES staff, in partnership with the focal persons and District, PA level staff
started with the introduction of the following interventions for the prioritized commodities.
Dairy value chain
Dairy value chain development is targeted for 8 of the selected Zones, i.e. Central and Eastern
Tigray, North Gonder, South Wollo and West Gojjam in Amhara Region, East and West Shoa in
Oromia and Sidama in SNNPRS. Interventions have been started in all 8 Zones.
Emphasis in the first six months, which coincided with the rainy season, was put on targeting onfarm-fodder production interventions including the introduction of improved grasses (Elephant
grass, Desho, Guatamala and Rhodes) and legumes (Desmodium, Sesbania sesban, Tree Lucerne,
Vetch, Lablab, Cow pea). The introduction also included the identification of sources of planting
materials from research and private suppliers. Planting took place on field boundaries, back yard
plots, gullies, irrigation channels and river banks. Production of irrigated fodder is discussed
separately. The number of farmers involved is shown in Table 3 (coaching and mentoring). Besides
farmers plot, species were also demonstrated on FTCs.
Table 4 List of FTCs in which demonstration activities were conducted
Region
District
SNNP
5 FTCs
Fodder & Fruits
Amhara
13 FTCs
Forage
Oromia
15 FTCs
Forage
Demonstrated
technologies
Desho grass, Alfalfa,
Elephant grass, Guatemala
grass, apple
Alfalafa, Cowpea, Desho,
Lablab, Napier grass, Oats,
Pigeon pea, Rhodes,
Sesbania, Vetch
Oats, Vetch, Sesbania, Bee
flora seeds, Alfalfa, Napier
grass, Cowpea, Lablab
In areas where fodder species were already introduced, attention was paid to the proper
management and utilization of these fodder species – it was observed that most species were
underutilized. In communal grazing areas, enrichment planting with grasses was introduced in
North Gonder. In Tigray, the concept of restricted grazing in communal grazing areas was
introduced to new locations. Also, the use of urea fertilizer to stimulate growth in grazing land was
introduced.
LIVES is also exploring the possibilities of introducing commercially available small choppers for
preparing crop residues and hay as well as to make silage.
15
Fertility management of cows was also highlighted, since calving intervals are 2 years or longer in
several locations. It was stressed that dairy cows, can be targeted for insemination/mating 2 to 3
months after calving in order to increase annual calf crop and milk production per household. A
pre-condition for such a strategy is that sufficient feed resources are available/have been
developed.
Attention was also paid to establishment of producers of forage seeds and planting materials in
selected areas, including production of forage seeds in FTCs (see Table 3).
The mass insemination programs in the LIVES districts have been discussed/harmonized with the
scaling out programs developed by the regional/zonal partner livestock institutions.
The concentrate feed supply system in the Zones was assessed and it was found that dairy mixes
were not available, except in a few locations in Sidama, West Gojjam and North Gonder. In the other
zones, only ingredients for dairy mixes were commercially sold. It was interesting to note that a
female farmer, who had participated in the LIVES zonal stakeholder meeting in Sidama Zone had
taken up the initiative to bring and sell dairy mix in “her” District. Linkages were also created
between dairy farmers and feed suppliers.
Potential outlets for milk collection/processing were identified in Adwa, West Shoa, South Wollo
and Sidama and linkages were discussed during platform meetings. Butter market actors were
identified in some Zones, notably Sidama, and possibilities to improve efficiency and market
functioning will be explored. Linkages have been created with the Livestock Marketing
Development (LMD) project to explore possibilities to create synergies for processing/marketing of
dairy products.
Large ruminants (beef) value chains
Large ruminants’ value chain development has been targeted for 4 Zones i.e. West Gojjam, North
Gondar, East Shoa and Gamo Gofa. Work has been started in all Zones.
Production interventions focused on the short term fattening of oxen/male animals. In discussions
with farmers, traders and livestock agency staff, new “fattening” opportunities emerged. In West
Gojjam and North Gonder fattening of cross breed male calves (dairy beef) has started and can be
supported with technical advice by LIVES. In Gamo Gofa, market group fattening of young bulls,
may be initiated for the export market in some Middle Eastern countries.
The fodder interventions proposed for dairy development (including improved input supply and
grazing area improvement) will also be used for large ruminants.
Appropriate feeding and shelter for fattening was stimulated. In areas where bananas are
introduced e.g. Gama Gofa, West Goijam, North Gonder, possibilities of feeding banana (waste) were
discussed and may require follow up feeding research by associated programs. The number of
farmers receiving direct support in large ruminants fattening is shown in Table 3.
The concentrate feed supply system in the Zones was assessed and it was found that fattening
mixes were not available – only ingredients (mainly wheat bran) were commercially sold. The
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project is exploring the possibilities of introducing small scale feed mills and mixers, to produce
feed based on locally available materials.
Potential markets for fattened animals were identified by the team and possibilities for starting
marketing groups were discussed to attract traders. Linkages have been created with the Livestock
Marketing Development (LMD) project to explore possibilities to create synergies for marketing
large ruminants.
Small ruminants (meat) value chain
Small ruminants’ value chain development has been targeted for 6 Zones i.e. Eastern Tigray, South
Wollo, West Shoa, Jimma, Gamo Gofa and Sidama. Contacts with small ruminants’ value chain actors
have been made in all Zones.
Production interventions focused on short term fattening of sheep and goats with supplementary
feeding. The fodder interventions proposed for dairy development (including improved input
supply and grazing area improvement) will also be used for the small ruminants. The number of
farmers receiving directly support in small ruminants fattening is shown in Table 3.
To improve the supply of improved breeds, community based selection of best performing rams has
been planned for Atsbi District (Eastern Tigray) in partnership with ICARDA. In South Wollo, plans
have been developed to introduce better performing rams (local breeds X Awassi – 25%). To speed
up the use of such rams, plans have been developed to use hormonal estrus synchronization of local
ewes, after which controlled natural hand mating with the rams can take place.
Assessment of the feed supply system for small ruminants also showed that only some ingredients
were sold locally. The project is exploring the possibilities of introducing small scale feed mills and
mixers, to produce fattening mix for small ruminants from locally available feed resources.
Potential markets for fattened animals were identified by the team and possibilities for starting
marketing groups were discussed. Linkages have been created with the Livestock Marketing
Development (LMD) project to explore possibilities to create synergies for small ruminants
marketing.
Poultry (eggs and broiler) value chain
Poultry value chain development is targeted for 7 Zones - Central Tigray, West Gojjam, North
Gondar, East Shoa, Jimma, Gamo Gofa and Sidama. Interventions have started in all 7 Zones.
A distinction has been made between semi-commercial specialized poultry production in and
around urban areas and rural poultry production.
Semi-commercial poultry producers (individuals/youth groups) were identified in Central Tigray,
North Gonder, West Gojjam, Jimma and Gamo Gofa. Most producers focused on egg production
from pullets obtained from research stations. Broiler production has been started on an
experimental basis in Tigray and by (female) farmers in West Gojjam and North Gondar. Producers’
capacity was found to be limited and advice was provided on feeding, housing, cannibalism and sex
ratio. A commercial poultry association was started in West Gojjam, including members from North
Gonder.
17
A critical issue to be addressed in the next 6 months is the supply of improved day old
chicks/pullets for egg production and/or broilers. LIVES will therefore start with testing the use of
a newly developed incubator.
Supply of veterinary services, especially for vaccination of day old chicks varied considerably
between the different Zones. An innovative arrangement was observed in Central Tigray, where
vaccines were supplied by a commercial day old chick supplier in Mekelle. Farmers in other Zones
purchased vaccines from NVI in DebreZeit. Vaccinations are usually conducted by staff from the
Office of Agriculture.
Supply of concentrate feed also varied considerably between Zones. Some producers had linkages
with commercial feed producers in DebreZeit or local agencies established by these companies. In
Tigray, appropriate feed was supplied by the company which supplied the day old chicks. Linkages
with commercial companies will be developed further.
Marketing of broilers and eggs has so far not experienced major problems, however formal
arrangements with institutional customers in urban centers need to be strengthened/developed to
avoid future problems.
Local poultry value chain development in rural areas has been assessed to determine major
marketing channels (for cocks, pullets, eggs) and potential interventions geared to reducing
mortality of young chickens. Focus will be on advising local chicken owners to expand the number
of chickens kept and reducing mortality as a result of attacks by rodents and predators.
Introduction of appropriate housing (hay box, movable pen) and feeding has/will be emphasized.
Discussions have been held with ILRI/EIAR to introduce better performing local breeds presently
selected in EIAR DebreZeit station. The number of farmers receiving directly support or poultry
development is shown in Table 3.
Apiculture value chain
Apiculture value chain development has been targeted for 5 zones i.e. Eastern Tigray, Central
Tigray, South Wollo, West Shoa and Jimma.
Production interventions included advice on hive management. In Central Tigray introduction of
transitional hives to compliment the already introduced frame hive in order to produce wax. Also
bee forage was introduced on several farms (see Table3).
Colony production has been initiated in South Wollo.
No major marketing problems have been experienced yet.
Irrigated Fruits value chain
Irrigated fruit value chain development has been targeted for all 10 Zones.
Production interventions include introduction and management of improved varieties on selected
farms including avocado, mango, banana and apple. Particular attention has been paid to the
introduction of bananas in North Gonder, West Goijam and South Wollo. In Goma Gofa Zone,
possibilities of introduction of new banana varieties with the help of tissue culture are being
explored.
18
Farmers and youth groups have been identified to start/improve nurseries for the future supply of
improved grafted seedlings. It has been observed that skills/knowledge on nursery management is
well advanced in South Wollo (especially Kalu District), Sidama Zone and Eastern Tigray Zone
(Atsbi) and use will be made of such skilled producers to build capacity of seedling producers in
other locations. The number of farmers receiving direct support on fruit development is shown in
Table 3.
Supply and maintenance of irrigation equipment in some of the target zones was assessed rapidly
and advice on linkages was provided. A more thorough assessment of the system at National,
Regional and Zonal level is scheduled and will be conducted by IWMI in order to develop an
improved supply and maintenance system.
Marketing of existing fruits, especially bananas in Arba Minch was assessed, since the fruit market
is monopolistic in nature and results in farmers being price takers. To break this state, one of the
cooperatives had recently started developing its own ripening and retail system in Hawassa city
with the help of an SNV project. Linkages with this project have been made to create synergies for
the marketing of bananas.
Future marketing of bananas in the selected Districts of North Gondar will be linked with efforts to
develop a ripening and retail system for bananas grown in Metema.
Irrigated vegetables value chain
Irrigated vegetable value chain development has been targeted for all 10 Zones. A start has been
made in some Zones, by identifying major producers (irrigation schemes) and value chain actors
including irrigation pump suppliers/maintenance providers. IWMI conducted assessments of
irrigation schemes in Amhara and Tigray Regions. Most interventions are targeted for the dry
season; however nursery activities were started in a few sites. The number of farmers receiving
directly support in vegetable development is shown in Table 3.
Irrigated fodder value chain
Irrigated fodder production with Alfalfa including seed production has been initiated by farmers in
Tigray, North Gonder and Sidama.
Possibilities of harvesting green fodder from cereal crops grown in irrigated areas (as a rotation
crop) will also be explored in combination with silage making.
Credit
Potential credit institutions in each of the Zones/District were identified with the help of the
project’s agri-business expert. A start was also made with a preliminary cost benefit analysis for
selected interventions. Forms are presently being developed to record cost/benefit data for
agribusinesses.
A proposal from an NGO called the “Glimmer of Hope” intended to provide credit for value chain
interventions in one of the Districts in Central Tigray was reviewed and commented upon. Funds
will be channeled through Saving & Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) and are expected to become
available in January.
19
Environment
A watershed framework is used in several clustered Districts/PAs to introduce irrigation and other
interventions to balance supply and demand of water. IWMI identified the need for hydrological
studies and improved institutional arrangements to regulate the use of water. Watershed
development in Tigray will focus on the effect of the expansion of shallow wells/irrigated
agriculture on ground water resources. The irrigation schemes in Gamogofa and Sidama zones are
located in watersheds which have been seriously affected by land degradation, resulting in reduced
water availability downstream. The watershed approach enables the integration of the various
livestock and irrigated agriculture interventions and meetings will be organized by the water user
associations to develop an environmentally sustainable intervention plan.
Discussions were held with farmers in Kolashara PA (Gamogofa zone) on ground water
development and effect of salinity. The discussion focused on the development of ground water, the
impact of salinity and on measures to be taken to tackle the problems. Farmers compared and
contrasted the current reality with the situation that prevailed some years ago and explained their
views as to why such conditions are worsening steadily. Some also explained that farmlands
towards the lake have started to be engulfed by the lake and ground water and trees have started
dying. Some farmers witnessed that it was uncommon in their locality to use soil to feed their cattle
(mineral supplement), but they use it now since it contains a lot of salt. Given the fact that many
households in Arba Minch Zuria and Mirab Abaya districts are using water from Lake Abaya, a
salinity test of the water was done. The results showed that the lake water is saline which could
have a negative environmental effect on the soil. Further soil assessment is recommended to be
done to create awareness on the future implications of the ongoing activities.
Quite a number of meetings were held in 4-kebeles of Mirab Abaya woreda (Gamogofa zone) to
discuss water management issues. It was agreed to organize more meetings whereby 12 PAs
(comprised of the PA’s executive committees, the cabinet and members of the water user
associations) in a cluster of 3 to 5 kebeles participate in one meeting in order to pinpoint the major
challenges associated with water management and its environmental implications. Water
management committees will be established in these follow up meetings. The zonal LIVES and
Woreda Agricultural offices have been given the responsibility to follow up the matter and facilitate
the meetings.
During the introduction process, and in discussions with partners, it was emphasized that
transmission of crop diseases (especially fungal ones) can result from the use of externally
produced inputs like fruit seedlings, forage and vegetable seeds. Also, disease transmission within
a field may be stimulated as a result of improper use of tools. Use of appropriate sanitary inspection
procedures and sterilization procedures of equipment will be encouraged to reduce these
environmental risks.
Animal production in urban/peri-urban settings (poultry and dairy) resulted in some complaints by
neighbors because of smell and noise “pollution”. These issues will be discussed with authorities
with a view of relocating some of these enterprises.
In areas where biogas production has been installed with support from the government and NGOs,
LIVES has finalized preparation to introduce electricity production using biogas run generators. In
20
addition, to curb the production of excess biogas (also explore the possibility of marketing of excess
biogas), the use of biogas bags for storage and transport will be tested.
In Tigray, forage interventions have been planted in the farm bunds, gullies and river banks. The
forage planted in the gullies bunds helps to stabilize gullies and reduce erosion. The established
forage across the gullies also helped the development of other floras in between the forage plants.
This is a contribution to enrich the biodiversity of the sites. The forage planted in the river banks is
expected to contribute to the reduction of the overflow of the river to the farmlands and reduce
erosion hazards. The forage planted in the farm bunds is expected to improve crop performance
and reduce moisture loss due to winds. The farm lands also benefit from N-fixation of legume
shrubs and dropping of fruit and forage plant parts that can decompose in the soil.
The forage grasses in the gullies, river banks and farm bunds are also expected to reduce runoff and
increase infiltration as well as surface and groundwater enrichment. The forage in the farm bunds
are expected to harbor pests such as rodents. But proper harvest and use of the forage for livestock
feed will expect to reduce the harboring of the pests. The cover of forage plants serves as retention
and detention of runoff of water around the farmlands.
The planting of grafted fruits around farm bunds is expected to reduce raindrop splash, keep the
soil under shade and relatively moist. The stay green fruits contribute to ecological stability and use
water that is unavailable for vegetables and cereals.
In Mecha district of Amhara region, elephant grass was planted on gullies to demonstrate the role of
elephant grass for gully stabilization and the possibility of feed production on gullies. Similarly, in
Lay Armacho district elephant grass was planted on 18 ha of degraded grazing land in order to
strengthen physical soil and water conservation structures as well as to enhance its rehabilitation
process. In Tehuldere district, different forage crops were planted on physical soil and water
conservation structures in order to demonstrate the possibility of feed production on
bunds/terraces as well as to strengthen physical soil and water conservation structures.
The LIVES project also planted bananas on the periphery of Lake Tana at Robit Bata PA of Bahir Dar
Zuria district. The purpose of this activity was to demonstrate the performance of improved banana
varieties. However, it also serves to demonstrate the importance of growing tree crops like banana
as buffers to reduce siltation of the lake. Most farmlands are depleted due to the growing of a few
cereal crops every year. The LIVES project is demonstrating growing of leguminous or nitrogen
fixing forage crops such as vetch and alfalfa on the farmlands in Lay Armacho, Dembiya, Bahir Dar
Zuria, Yilmana Densa, Tehuledere, and Dessie Zuria districts. This activity contributes to improve
the fertility of farmlands. Therefore, most of the project interventions in the region consider the
rehabilitation of the degraded natural resources and sustainable use of the available natural
resources.
Gender
A practical gender training manual is currently being finalized in collaboration with IWMI & ILRI’s
Capacity Development Unit. The content of this training manual includes materials used during the
training for LIVES staff that took place in August 2013.
21
During the reporting period, a field visit took place to West Shoa Zone to monitor the involvement
of male and female farmers in dairy, irrigated agriculture and to assess the interaction of private
dairy and apiculture farmers with small holders, particularly women. Discussions were held on
gender mainstreaming efforts in the agriculture sector with Extension Agents, Women’s Affairs
Bureau Heads and experts in Ejere District and Ambo Zone. The LIVES Regional and Zonal
Coordinators and the LIVES Focal Person in West Shoa zone were part of this monitoring activity.
Backstopping took place by the project’s Gender Expert while the West Shoa Zonal Coordinator
conducted a one day training organized at the Ejere district LIVES Knowledge Center to discuss
gender issues with key partners and also areas of collaboration at zonal and district levels.
Efforts were made to ensure representation from the Regional Women’s Affairs Offices in the LIVES
Regional Project Implementation Committee (RPIC). Discussions were held with the West Shoa
Zone Children, Youth and Women’s Affairs Office head and experts about the possibility of partners
accessing information from the KC. The LIVES Zonal Coordinator, LIVES Focal Person and Children,
Youth and Women’s Affairs office agreed to work on suitable schedules to enable their staff to use
the knowledge center. A meeting was held with a private input supplier, service provider and
private farm owner (Ato Gadisa Gobena) to explore possibilities of availing affordable services for
male and female smallholders. It was agreed that 40% of future trainees among smallholder
farmers will be female.
Various female value chain actors were identified as part of the interventions process and care will
be taken to include them in training and coaching/mentoring activities. In Amhara region, 1,040
households targeted for livestock and irrigation agriculture interventions, of which 35 to 40% were
female farmers drawn from both FHH and MHH. As part of the capacity building aspect of the
project’s interventions, an action plan on gender mainstreaming training for key zonal and district
level partners has been prepared and shared with zonal coordinators and the gender expert at
LIVES HQ. The LIVES zonal office in South Wollo zone discussed the constraints facing women to
actively participate in each value chain development. In the meantime, an agreement has been
made with the district and zonal OoA and Livestock Agency to maintain the percentage of women
participating in value chain development within the range of 35 to 40%. One of the strategies
devised to enhance gender equity across value chains is to engage key partners and decision
makers in gender awareness creation sessions and interactive dialogues on gender issues involved
along the major value chain nodes. In some cases, around Dessie and Kombolcha towns, the number
of women who participated in dairy, small ruminant and vegetable (tomato and onion) and poultry
fall between 60-70%. In addition, women involved in pullet and egg production in Yilmanadensa
and Bahr dar Zuria woredas were given practical management system support and linkage of
poultry production with market outreaches.
In South Gojjam zone, grazing land management (zero grazing system) and their social dimension,
introducing functional bylaws to ensure also gender equity and creating equal access to female and
male smallholders to communal grazing areas is an intervention in progress. In North Gonder, in
Dembia and Laey Armacho districts, 50% of the beneficeries in poultry and dairy production are
female farmers from both male headed and female headed households. In Mecha district, three
22
model female farmers participated in a value chain development platform meeting and are
considered to be role models by the other female smallholders and their male counterparts as well.
In Oromia, more than 20% of smallholders participated in commodity platforms in the region
particularly in Ejere, Ada Berga and Metarobi where there were female smallholder farmers. In
value chains such as dairy, the level of participation of female smallholders is about 30%. With
regard to irrigation value chains, more than 26% of those who had access to forage genetic material
for multiplication and those who were involved in fruit nursery production and back yard orchard
farming in West Shoa Zone were female smallholders. Smallholder men and women are also linked
to private apple seed producers and commercial farmers. One gender focal person at district and
zonal level is involved in the e-reader based action research (see 2230).
Gender in agricultural value chain related materials were uploaded on the e-readers for the benefit
of extension service providers to maintain gender inclusive value chain development and
governance.
In Jimma and West Shoa Zones, LIVES organized discussions with the involvement of the Children,
Youth and Women Affairs Offices on the level of participation of women farmers in irrigation
agriculture, dairying and tried to identify major constraints and possible alternatives to improve
gender equity. In East Shoa, LIVES team members facilitated FGD sessions on poultry value chain as
part of the gender mainstreaming workshop organized in Adama from August 19 to 22, 2013. The
FGD participants were divided into male only, female only and mixed groups mainly with a view to
test LIVES Gender Analysis tools. The workshop participants shared the gender disaggregated
results of the gender analysis at the end of the FGD session and further improved the tools to be
used across all LIVES intervention areas. About 50% of the FGD session participants from the two
PAs of Lome district in West Shoa zone were female farmers.
In the SNNP Region, LIVES held discussions with male and female input suppliers, fruit and
vegetable marketing primary cooperative members, Arba Minch Agricultural, Gamo Gofa Zone Plant
Protection Office, Chenomile fruits and fodder seeds multiplication Centre, Chamo Poultry
producers group, Egna Neww Mayet Small Ruminant Producers Group and with individual farmer
engaged in improved mango and forage producing farmers. Of those who participated in the
discussion, female representation was more than 29% out of the total number of participants.
Female and male farmers were involved in the project familiarization meeting in the SNNP Region
where more than 22% of the participants were female smallholders from male and female headed
households. With regard to linkage with institutions representing gender empowerment issues, the
LIVES SNNP Regional Team visited the regional and Sidama zonal offices of Gender Mainstreaming
and Empowering Departments. The team also discussed the major objectives and areas of
interventions of LIVES for officials and experts of the regions and zones. LIVES staff are working
closely with Ocholo Lante Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Cooperatives in the SNNP region where 50
of the members are female smallholders out of the total 279 members of the cooperative. There is
discussion within LIVES to gather lessons from male and female members regarding opportunities,
constraints and innovative lessons learnt with regard to maintaining equal access and control of
resources for male and female members.
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In Central Tigray zone, Laelay Migaria Tsemeri PA in Ahferom district, 220 grafted Mango seedlings
were planted by 21 farmers of which 5 were female smallholders. In Adwa district, Bet Hans PA, 28
farmers (22M/6F) and 7 experts (6M/1F) were involved in forage development training as part of
the capacity building efforts of LIVES in the region. In Eastern Tigray zone, in Ruba Feleg PA, grafted
apple seedlings were planted by 15 male and 1 female farmer. LIVES also held discussions on land
preparation with 13 male and 7 female farmers who were interested in growing forage and
planting fruits. In Laelay Maitchew and Adwa Districts 100 farmers were involved in a discussion
held to establish a free grazing corridor. 14 of the participants in the discussion were female
farmers.
In the Central Zone of Tigray, 100 farmers were involved in improved irrigated fruit and forage
management training of which 14 of the participants were female smallholders. Similarly, 27
farmers were involved in the same training from Eastern Tigray Zone of which 5 were female
smallholders. Also, 272 Guava seedlings were planted by 99 farmers 5 of whom are female
smallholders. In central zone of Tigray, capacity development for SMS, DAs and farmers on forage
and fruit were conducted. In terms of the gender composition of those who participated in the
capacity building activity, of the 19 SMS and DAs 2, were female. In addition:




Women participation was ensured in the commodity platform members (farmers, traders
and private service providers). For instance about 50% of the commodity producers and
some commodity traders such as butter and petty vegetables in the commodity value chain
platforms were women. One of the private vet service providers (vet graduate women) is a
member of the commodity platform in Ahferom district
Women participation in capacity and value chain development of improved fruits and
forage were ensured
From the MSc fellowship awards about 50% were women
The regional BoARD gender focal person was included as a member of the Regional Project
Implementation Committee (RPIC)
For gender mainstreaming in market oriented livestock and irrigated crops development, the
project’s approach has been assisting and capacitating the targeted household members with
practical fruit and forage development skills in the field. Thus new skills and knowledge will be an
‘asset of the household member’ rather than targeting the household heads. In this approach, the
access of women household members (women and girls in male and female headed households)
has been ensured. This means that about 50% of the household members have access to improved
skills on market oriented commodity developments. This approach will continue with all
commodities development interventions.
In the field, we define women participation and empowerment pathways. These pathways include:



Ensuring participation and representation of women as members of organized groups in the
clusters of commodity interventions
Providing continuous skill development while working in the field or in cultural gatherings
on improved value chain development
Ensuring that improved skills and knowledge will be an asset of the household members
(50% women)
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All LIVES Zones in the four intervention regions have prepared ToRs to conduct gender trainings
for key partners and also to carry out gender analysis along with commodities/value chain nodes.
In terms of gender mainstreaming and partnership building, the LIVES Gender Expert was involved
with ILRI’s CRP 3.7 staff to work on a potential project from the World Bank to carry out research in
four PAs with the objective of designing gender self-determination and empowerment pathways.
The pilot gender self-determination and empowerment tools will be tested in four value chain
projects located in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia. See Annex 6 for details of participation in
events.
Close working relationships have been established with the ATA to share documents translated into
local languages, to link the ATA with IWMI, CRP 3.7 and also distribute the ATA’s Annual Report,
and Gender Training Manuals for DAs.
2140 – Demonstration materials for value chain interventions provided
The project identified sources for forage seeds/planting materials, grafted fruit trees, and improved
vegetable seeds and made them available for the pilot farmers and FTCs.
As mentioned in the previous section, equipment for chopping, feed mills and mixing and hatchery
are being assessed and are expected to be introduced for testing in the remaining part of the year.
2200 Increased Documentation of Project Results/Lessons
Increased number of gender sensitive and environmentally sustainable documented project
generated results and lessons learned for (♀♂) VC actors and service providers in project
areas and beyond
During this reporting period, environmental assessments of major commodities were initiated in
the Regions with inputs from HQ staff. In addition, proposals submitted by IWMI were also
reviewed and commented upon. In addition, HQ staff provided supervision to a PhD student
(Lemlem Aregu) who is working on ‘Gender related community based grazing land management
institutions’.
2210 – Research priorities identified and reviewed annually
Diagnostic and action research priorities have been identified in collaboration with IWMI and
federal & regional research institute staff. National research coordination teams have also been
established. A focal person for each team has been assigned from the national research system and
each team has been preparing concept notes for the priority diagnostic research areas for each of
the livestock and irrigation value chains. A national meeting to review the concept notes has been
planned for November 11-15, 2013 at the Headquarters of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural
Research (EIAR).
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2220 – Diagnostic studies completed
A draft diagnostic study report on butter value chain has been produced. Butter is an important
source of income for rural households, especially for those who reside far from towns. A PhD study
on gender related institutional arrangements of communal grazing land management is underway.
2230 – Action studies completed
During this reporting period, HQ staff have been working on the development of an action research
project for the use of e-readers. A study on the efficiency of these e-book readers in improving
knowledge and skills of extension experts was initiated. Users of these e-readers will be asked to fill
in a baseline questionnaire and an assessment will be done after six months and again, after 12
months on the use and efficiency of the e-readers for extension workers.
2240 – Commodity impact studies completed
In preparation for the household level baseline data for project impact evaluation, draft household
and community level instruments have been prepared. A one day review of the first draft
instrument was done. The instrument was revised based on the inputs provided by LIVES and IWMI
staff. A second draft was also prepared and reviewed by LIVES and IWMI staff and the instrument is
being field tested. Gender issues have been integrated in the questionnaire.
2250 – Project RBM
Preparations to conduct the household level baseline survey are currently being finalized.
Project management
Reports
Project staff have been documenting day to day activities and have submitted weekly and monthly
reports. These reports are prepared by project pillar – capacity development, knowledge
management, promotion, value chain development & documentation/research.
Recruitment of Staff
During this reporting period, several staff members came on board while the recruitment process
for the remaining vacant positions has been initiated.
The following staff members have been recruited during this reporting period:
HQ:


Agribusiness Expert
Results Based Monitoring & Evaluation Expert
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
Research Officer
Regions:






Regional Coordinator, Livestock – SNNP
Regional Coordinator, Irrigated Crops – Amhara
Regional Expert, Irrigated Crops – SNNP
Research Assistant – Amhara
Research Assistant – SNNP
Research Assistant – Tigray
Zones:


Regional Coordinators (8) – South Wollo, West Shoa, Gamo Gofa, Sidama, West Gojjam,
North Gondar, Central Tigray & Jimma
Drivers (7) – Central Tigray, West Shoa, Sidama, South Wollo, East Shoa, West Gojjam,
Gamo Gofa
Applications for the following positions are being reviewed:


Regional Expert, Irrigated Crops – Oromia
Research Assistant – Oromia
Interviews for the following positions will take place during the next reporting period:


Regional Administrative Assistants
Regional drivers
Establishment of Offices
Tigray – Regional offices have been established in TARI with two offices (a third one to be made
available soon) which have been equipped with essential furniture. Two zonal offices in Axum and
Adigrat have been established and furnished with necessary office furniture.
Amhara – the project has secured two medium sized rooms from the Amhara National Regional
State Food Security and Disaster Prevention Office. Similarly South Wello, North Gondar, & West
Gojjam Zones now have office space from the South Wello Zone Department of Agriculture, from
Gondar Agricultural Research Center, and from ANRS Food Security & Disaster Prevention Office,
respectively.
SNNP – two offices have been made available at the SARI HQ in Hawassa for Regional staff and one
more will be made available for the Regional Administrative Assistant. The Sidama Zonal
Coordinator has not yet found an office and is in the process of finding one. The Gamo Gofa Zonal
Coordinator has acquired one office. Regional & Zonal staff have been equipped with laptops,
desktops, printers etc as well as furniture for their offices.
Oromia – Oromia staff (Regional Coordinator & driver at the moment) are currently housed at ILRI
as office space has not yet been allocated by the Oromia Office of Agriculture due to shortage of
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space. However, discussions are ongoing for allocation as a new building will be completed and
ready for use soon.
Focal persons for the project have now been assigned in the Regions & Zones. A list of these focal
persons can be found on Annex 7.
Procurement
Vehicles that were ordered for the Regions & Zones have now arrived and have been dispatched to
their duty stations.
Project Coordinating Team Meetings
The project Coordinating Team meeting did not take place during the last reporting period since
there is no representative from the Ministry of Agriculture after the departure of Dr. Edmealem
Shitaye. Written requests have been submitted to the Ministry for a new representative and we are
confident one will be assigned to the project soon.
Regional Project Implementation Committee (RPIC) Meetings
Regional Project Implementation Committees have been formed for all 4 regions and meetings have
been scheduled to take place in October & November 2013. The Tigray RPIC met in June 2013 and
the agenda included welcome and introduction of RPIC members, clarification of RPIC functions,
and presentation of LIVES progress in Tigray. The group also discussed the mechanisms of
nominating MSc students and agreed that awards should reflect the interest of the LIVES project
and the district. The RPIC held a general discussion on the achievements and the way forward. CIDA
will receive invitations and programs for the meetings in the other regions.
Project Steering Committee Meeting
The Project Steering Committee took a trip to Kenya from September 30 – October 4, 2013 and
although a formal meeting was not held, many issues were discussed and documented during this
time. Please see Annex 5 for the study tour report.
Preparation of Quarterly Financial Reports
Quarterly financial reports and fund advance requests have been submitted to CIDA as scheduled.
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