Food Security Working Group. Harnessing Resources and Partnerships to Achieve Food Security in Myanmar. Phase II Project

Transcription

1 Food Security Working Group Harnessing Resources and Partnerships to Achieve Food Security in Myanmar Phase II Project NARRATIVE PROGRESS REPORT (INCEPTION REPORT) REPORTING PERIOD FROM 1/1/ /6/2016 DATE SUBMITTED 31 JULY 2016

2 PROJECT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES Project title: Implementing Partner(s) and local Partner(s) Responsible Person: Contact Harnessing Resources and Partnerships to Achieve Food Security in Myanmar Phase II Project Food Security Working Group Dr. Khin Pa Pa Wai, Coordinator fswg. Project Starting date Originally planned Project completion date Current estimate 1/1/ /12/ /1/2019 Approved Total Budget Latest Signed Revision (US$) 1,622,958 US$ 1,622,958 US$ Approval Date of Amendment Nature of the Amendment 2

3 PROJECT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS 1. BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD PROGRESS TOWARDS OUTCOMES / DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS PER COMPONENT... 9 MAJOR OUTCOME / COMPONENT 1: THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY OF A NETWORK ORGANIZATION, RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF ITS MEMBERS BY BEING EFFICIENT, TRANSPARENT, IMPACT-ORIENTATED, COLLABORATIVE, COMMUNICATIVE AND ENABLING... 9 a) Progress toward the expected outputs and outcomes, and process... 9 b) Institutional, operational and economic sustainability... 9 c) Lessons, new challenges and risks... 9 d) Plans for the next period MAJOR OUTCOME / COMPONENT 2: INCREASINGLY KNOWLEDGEABLE SKILLFUL AND ACCOUNTABLE FOOD SECURITY ACTORS COORDINATING & COLLABORATING TO ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY IN MYANMAR a) Progress towards the expected outputs and outcomes, and process Trainings Sharing and Learning events b) Lessons, new challenges and risks c) Plans for the next period MAJOR OUTCOME / COMPONENT 3: POLICY MAKERS WITHIN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT AFFECT FOOD SECURITY IN MYANMAR ARE INFORMED AND ENCOURAGED TO TAKE GREATER ACTION FOR FOOD SECURITY Resource Centers a) Progress towards the expected outputs and outcomes, and process b) Institutional, operational and economic sustainability c) Lessons, new challenges and risks d) Plans for the next period Knowledge Management Platform a) Progress toward the expected output and outcomes, and process b) Lessons, new challenges and risks c) Plans for the next period Policy Advocacy a) Progress toward the expected outputs and outcomes, and process b) Lessons, new challenges and risks c) Plans for the next period KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING QUESTIONS (LQS) STAKEHOLDERS, POLICY INFLUENCE, AND CONFLICT-SENSITIVITY GENDER CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES SUSTAINABILITY AND EXIT STRATEGY VALUE FOR MONEY (VFM) AND EFFICIENCY ANNEXES

4 Acronyms and Abbreviations FAO IFAD WFP AGM ALFDC BMD CBO CSO FSIN FSWG KMSS INGO LIFT LNGO M&E NPK RC SC ST ToT YAU SNN LEARN Food and Agriculture Organization International Fund for Agricultural Development World Food Program Annual General Meeting Agricultural, Livestock and Fisheries Development Committee Business for Millennium Development Community-based organizations Civil Society organizations Food Security Information Network Food Security Working Group Karuna Mission Social Solidarity International non-governmental organizations Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund Local non-government organization Monitoring and evaluation Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium Resource Center FSWG Steering Committee FSWG Secretariat Team Training of trainers Yezin Agricultural University Sub-national Network Leveraging Essential Nutrition Actions To Reduce Malnutrition Project 4

5 1. BACKGROUND While at the national level, Myanmar is food secured with the capacity to export food, there is growing evidence that at finer scales food insecurity remains a serious challenge. Currently 8.9 million people or 16.7% of the population are estimated to be undernourished in Myanmar. This means one person in every six is chronically hungry (FAO, IFAD & WFP, 2014). Since its establishment in 2003, the Food Security Working Group s (FSWG) mission is to improve the quality of, and the enabling environment for, food security interventions and policies implemented in Myanmar through mobilizing the collective capacities of the network. With over 180 members, the FSWG is the largest professional network of local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and individuals who are working and are interested in food security related issues in Myanmar. The FSWG achieves this through three outcomes: 1) Organizational Development; 2) Capacity Building and knowledge sharing; 3) Sharing of information and Research findings and policy advocacy; while the first outcome is related to the internal FSWG organization and management and the systems in place to best deliver member services and the following two are focused on member services. The FSWG works at the national and regional levels. The member-elected Steering Committee and Secretariat support the network in coordinating and implementing FSWG activities with technical Subgroups housed within the Secretariat providing focus to specific tasks. This network role has become more critical with the opening up of Myanmar after the 2011 reforms and the transition to democracy. With a growing number of actors and funds available to address food security there is an increased need for: the ability of local and smaller actors to utilize the information and be effective contributors to the food security space; the development and circulation of reliable information; evidence-based advocacy for an improved enabling environment that mainstreams a comprehensive approach to food security into government laws, plans, and activities; and coordination of actors to allow for synergies and distribution of efforts. The proposed three-year ( ) project activities is in line with the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund s (LIFT) Strategy as 5

6 well as the FSWG Strategy that will develop and finalize by the end of December, Overall 430 participants from member organizations, 12 INGOs, 6 Local NGOs, 45 CBOs involved in FSWG activities conducted in the inception period. During the inception phase, the FSWG has increased recognition as a platform where CSOs and relevant stakeholders could create more spaces for sharing and learning of knowledge, technology advancement and capacity required to improve food security programming in country by improving new website and face book page and through trainings and sharing events. On the other hand, the FSWG has critically observed how to better develop its communication mechanism by examining communication gaps and lessons to assist building relationship between and among member CSOs and relevant stakeholders. By learning and identifying the lessons and experiences from the previous project, the FSWG is trying to establish powerful network with its members and also with national and regional level Government, some concern parliamentarians and selective private sector that will greatly help to collectively achieve the quality of the project for next two and half years. 6

7 2. HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD Overall 430 participants learned from FSWG activities during inception phase and FSWG organized two basic nutrition Trainings at Magwe and Pathein regional resource centers by the collaboration of LEARN project, Save the Children to integrate nutrition idea when participants are implementing their own projects. Knowledge sharing events about ICT for Agriculture knowledge sharing and Soil Fertility Management were conducted. Regional resource center, Pathein was successfully opened in Pathein by collaboration with KMSS-Pathein for Ayeyarwady Delta and Rakhine Resource center was already set up in Taunggoke. 7

8 FSWG New Website was launched in English and Myanmar Language. Policy Advocacy Action Planning Workshop was done to identify future advocacy plan with the increasing demand of working for pro poor policy. The chairman of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development special committee, Pyithu Hlut Taw participated in the policy advocacy planning workshop and shared experiences and Priorities of Parliament in Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development sector. 8

9 3. PROGRESS TOWARDS OUTCOMES / DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS PER COMPONENT MAJOR OUTCOME / COMPONENT 1: The highest standards of excellence and integrity of a network organization, responding to the needs of its members by being efficient, transparent, impact-orientated, collaborative, communicative and enabling a) Progress toward the expected outputs and outcomes, and process Revision of FSWG Strategy and Charter Revision of the FSWG strategy and charter was now on going and it will be drafted before and will approved by the Annual General Assembly which will be held on 28 th October, Staff capacity building training Results Based Management Training series for all program, admin and finance staff were conducted on 28 May, 15th-18th June and 18 July 2016 at FSWG Office to get awareness and understanding of staff on new LIFT 3 year project proposal. It is a kind of sensitization workshop among project staff to make sure that all staff understands overall implementation processes and expected outcomes to improve the capacity of staff including M&E skills. It will be beneficial for all staff to participate in the MEAL plan meeting with LIFT team and to be able to facilitate all activities to accomplish effectively. In the training period, staff develop logical framework, M&E framework, work plan and costed work plan for new LIFT project. In addition, the staff represented the FSWG by participating in over 30 meetings and events organized by members and other stakeholders during the reporting period (An nex B.). Through those events, FSWG contributed to the works of other stakeholders and learned various types of development works and lessons and could copy the best practices of different stakeholders including government officials and can use for the benefits of FSWG members. It is a two way learning mechanisms, when FSWG recognized that there is some supports FSWG can contribute or coordinate, FSWG helped to share the required information or to coordinate among the different stakeholders. By doing this FSWG achieved better coordination and collaboration among networks and outside the networks b) Institutional, operational and economic sustainability FSWG is now trying to receive registration which is now essential to achieve more funding opportunity. Moreover, FSWG will also try to extend activities as a social enterprise for nonmember services for the sustainability of FSWG. c) Lessons, new challenges and risks FSWG identified many lessons during the reporting period as FSWG, nowadays, is trying to improve Organizational capacity especially for better governance. Firstly, to get better 9

10 improvement of the network, strong communication strategy is essential and improvement of coordination and collaboration among members and different stakeholders is the most important things to strengthen the networks like FSWG with diversify membership. Secondly, Working professionally is also necessary to improve the governance of an organization or a network and to achieve the healthy working environment for staff is also playing a vital role to achieve and to develop a better network. Taking into account the different lessons, FSWG is trying to improve the capacity of staff and its steering committee and to make the strategic decision in improving the organizational development of FSWG itself. In addition, to get active participation and interest of members FSWG will set up the clear membership strategies to get the better quality membership which could lead the network to achieve better results in food security programming. d) Plans for the next period FSWG will keep going the strengthening of FSWG capacity and will fill up any technical competency within FSWG staff and its stakeholders by representation of FSWG in other external forums and workshops and through various capacity building trainings along the project period. FSWG will try to maintain the current status of FSWG knowledge sharing platform and will improve always to provide more and more information which will benefit to members and food security actors in Myanmar and other countries?? 10

11 MAJOR OUTCOME / COMPONENT 2: Increasingly knowledgeable skillful and accountable food security actors coordinating & collaborating to achieve Food security in Myanmar a) Progress towards the expected outputs and outcomes, and process Trainings Apple Production Training Apple production in Chin state is potential fruit production, however, the apple from chin hill are not qualified even up to the national market because it has less quality compare with apples imported from China and other countries due to weakness in production techniques, postharvest management and difficult transportation at the peak season. Therefore, the best practices for apple production, handling and postharvest technologies are essential to improve the apple production and market for Chin apple production. Green Kennedy Group is a community-based member organization of FSWG based in Kalay, Sagaing region. They are trying to provied technologies to reduce deforestation and to improve the livelihoods of Chin community by organizing some technical trainings in collaboration with Myanmar Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Department and Forest Department. In January, 2016, Green Kanady Group requested to FSWG to provide some logistic cost for apple production training as Winrock International will take care for resource person. Although FSWG trainings were designed for members, the community trainings were designed for not only members but also for their target community to help and improve the capacity of members in organizing some training. This kind of trainings are necessary as some member CBO cannot organize the trainings as their own due to no fund received from any donors they can contribute only partially for the cost of training by their own money. FSWG thinked it is worth to organize such kind of trainings instead of the trainings which will be provided by FSWG only. Therefore, the training on Apple Production was organized on March 2016 at Phunom Village, Tedim Township, Chin State. The training was conducted to improve quality apple production by introduction of modern techniques and to reduce improper use of agricultural inputs and chemicals in the apple production. The cost of training was shared by Green Kennedy Group, FSWG and Winrock International Farmer to Farmer Program of USAID. Winrock International provided resource persons for the training and FSWG covered the per diem and transportation cost of the participants. The training covered the topic on apple growing, management of pest and diseases and it includes a practical session in the apple plantation and demonstrated pruning, grafting and pest and disease management, care and management of apple tree including postharvest management for long term shelf life. The target communities of member organization have learnt the 11

12 commercial production of apple and get awareness on care and management practice to improve the quality of apple. Basic Nutrition Trainings As the nutrition is important component, the agriculture, livelihood and food security projects only cannot achieve the food security in Myanmar. When the nutrition specific projects are working by their approach, it is worthwhile to increase the nutrition sensitive concept among the food security actors including FSWG members. As a result of members training need assessment and due to the recommendations of the research, integration of nutrition in the agriculture and rural development project, which was conducted in the previous LIFT project, FSWG is trying to organize the basic nutrition trainings to improve awareness of nutrition among the member organizations. Therefore, Basic Nutrition Training was organized on 10th-11th May 2016 at Magway RC, Yezin Agricultural Campus, Magway. Basic Nutrition Training was carried out on 7th-8th June 2016 at Pathein RC, Karuna Social Center, Pathein. The trainings were coordinated with LEARN project from Save the Children as they provide the resource persons for all nutrition trainings. After receiving the trainings FSWG members increased awareness how to integrate the nutrition component in their current livelihood and food security project. LEARN facilitator guides, visual aids and flip chart stories were distributed to all participants at the end of the trainings. The basic nutrition trainings covered the topics on causes and consequences of Malnutrition, types of malnutrition, nutrients and food Groups, protective Foods: vitamins & minerals, balance diet, intergeneration cycle and critical window, maternal Nutrition and local dietary habits, infant and young child feeding, maximizing nutrient contents, chain of contamination and how to use income effectively to improve nutrition. In addition, FSWG also supported to distribute the IEC materials produced by LEARN projects to disseminate the nutrition concept among the member organizations. After the trainings, the average grade of participants increased up to 26% in Magwe and 22% in Pathein. The participants showed satisfaction and they want to learn more about advantages and disadvantages of each vegetable and fruit, nutrients necessary required for male and female and according to body structure, more knowledge on food security, How to take food in old age (Above 50), Health care on Under 5 children and pregnant women, more detail about which vitamin and mineral can prevent which disease, more knowledge about complementary feeding, maternal and child health and kind of disease protected by each food. 12

13 Sharing and Learning events Sharing and Learning was designed to share the some technical knowledge and experiences just to raise the awareness and to improve the knowledge of member organizations within maximum one day period. In this event, member also could share their success and lesson learned with other members and FSWG. Soil nutrient management Sharing on soil nutrient management was conducted on 13th February 2016, at Magway RC, Magway Campus, Yezin Agricultural University. A total 37 participants (25 Males and 12 Females) from 8 member organizations (1 INGO, 2 LNGO, 5 CBO) and target communities of members participated in the trainings. The training covered effective use of fertilizers according to the needs of oil seed crops, peanut, sesame, sunflower, corn, peas and beans and upland rice and effect of ph on the crop production. ICT on mobile software application A knowledge sharing events for ICT on mobile software application on Agriculture Knowledge Sharing was carried out on 29th March 2016 at Pyapon RC, Ayeyarwaddy Region by Green Way Technical mobile team, a member of FSWG and they shared the knowledge how to use application software to get Agricultural techniques and knowledge and how to directly consult with Technical experts through mobile at any time. FSWG always pass the message of green way software to other members and stakeholders and greenway website can be easily checked through FSWG website. In addition, FSWG has planned to have more knowledge sharing session about Greenway mobile application in each SNNs when their application will be very useful for other member organizations and for their target communities. Coordination Meeting With the purpose of sharing the experiences and to have better coordination, coordination and learning meeting among government personals and member organizations and their target community was held on 6th March 2016 at Phoe Lay Lone village, Magway. In the meeting, 6 Government officials from Department of Agriculture (DOA), Magway and 45 participants including members and farmer leaders attended. That was a meeting to introduce government officials, member organizations and its target communities. In the meeting, they discussed the experiences and challenges in their area and then they made emphasis on the nutrient management. According to the discussion, DOA s staff shared how to use Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) and farmers also shared their experience concerning with the practices. Through the meeting, all stakeholders had a chance to improve the understanding and learning from each other and better coordination is resulted. 13

14 b) Lessons, new challenges and risks To develop the capacity of members and to have effectiveness of the capacity building activities, FSWG, in this phase II project, tried to reach the actual needs of member capacity by need assessment survey. Although an annual plan for member capacity is drafted, it is still a challenge to prioritize the actual needs of members. On the other hand, in the proposed budget, the amount of budget for the trainings are limited as FSWG want to implement more activities to reach the different regional area. Therefore, it is a new challenge to get consensus agreement with members to share the cost of trainings or to reduce the cost of training as less as possible. Therefore, the training design and the training schedules will be again finalized in the member coordination meetings with the formation of sub-national network. The sub national network will prepare not only training program but also research and policy advocacy plan base on the specific regional issues in each area. In additions, being the early phase of project the field practice/exchange activities are decided to postpone as FSWG want to focus to organize each activity which will actually meet the requirements of members. Similarly, the small grant program will be redesigned for organizational development of members who have strong commitment to be a better organization and who already have clear staff structure and implementing experience to some extent, etc. according to the recommendation of LIFT evaluation report. c) Plans for the next period According to the finalized annual trainings schedules, FSWG will organize technical trainings in Yangon and community trainings in each sub-national networks which will facilitate to answer the specific issues in the area. 14

15 MAJOR OUTCOME / COMPONENT 3: Policy makers within political, economic and social systems and institutions that affect Food Security in Myanmar are informed and encouraged to take greater action for food security Resource Centers a) Progress towards the expected outputs and outcomes, and process Three regional Resource Centres were relocated in May 2016.A total of 2584 IEC materials have been sold in January-June The total income was MMK (about USD 2153). Total research books have been disseminated free of charge to 165 member organizations including members, local government and non-members in Jan-June Being the outreach spots to contact with the members from regional area, FSWG is trying to improve the services and coordination of different RCs in each regional area to pursue the active participation of members, to disseminate the food security information and research findings by FSWG and other stakeholders and to get better coordination with regional line departments and regional governments to get technical support and to succeed regional level policy advocacy works. No. RC Location Host Organization Opening Date 1 Pyapon to Pathein KMSS 6 June Naung Khan to Metta Development 1 May 2016 Taunggyi Organization 2. Hakha to Rakhine AGE 1 June 2016 IEC Materials FSWG is trying to identify the way forward to compile necessary resources and to identify the IEC materials which will match with real needs of members and useful for all members and food security stakeholders by collecting the information of needs through surveys and will discuss in the coordination meeting of each sub national network which will be formed based on the regional resource centers. 15

16 Yangon RC The figures show that a total of 176 members from 145 member organizations visited to Yangon RC during January to June 2016 for many purposes. Magway Regional RC A total 212 individuals (31 FSWG members, 5 government departments, 17 students and teachers from Yezin Agriculture University, 76 farmers and 83 non-members) visited Magway Regional Resource Center in January-June

17 Pyapon and Pathein Regional RC Pyapon RC was relocated to Pathein in May 2016, collaborated with KMSS. A total of 112 individuals (80 from 23 member organizations, 32 farmers) visited Pyapon and Pathein RC. Naung Kham RC Naung Kham RC was relocated to Taunggyi in May 2016 at Metta Office. A total of 131 individuals (45 from 7 member organizations, 42 from non-member organizations, and 44 farmers from 13 villages) visited Naung Kham RC and Taunggyi RC. Hakha regional RC was relocated to Rakhine in May

18 b) Institutional, operational and economic sustainability Generally, lack of active participation of members in the activities is a big challenge. It may occur because of the nature of the network whereas the FSWG has diverse range of organizations and their needs and wants are also different. Due to having difficult communication technology, members from remote areas could not able to participate in most program activities. However, during the inception phase, the FSWG is trying to facilitate subnational networks in different regional area based on regional RCs. The draft design of subnational networks is attached in the annex A. By working with sub-national network, FSWG will reach up to the different area and could design various activities such as trainings, research and policy issues specific on the different regional area, such as for dry zone, delta, costal, hilly region. In addition, the existing resource centers also could promote and could get better coordination and receive trust from members, regional department officials and regional government could improve policy advocacy works among regional stakeholders by collaboration with members. c) Lessons, new challenges and risks A member satisfaction survey for FSWG s RCs was conducted in March 2016 to know the effectiveness of the RCs. Out of 183 members (32 INGO, 25 LNGO, 82 CBO, 36 individual,), 45 responses are received and among them 8 (25%) are INGO; 5 (20%) are LNGO, 29 (35%) are CBO and 3(9%) are individuals. No. Content Summary of Answers 1 Members who said they know FSWG s Resource Centers Yes (80%) No (20%) 2 The usefulness of FSWG s Resources Centers for Members Very useful (38%) Useful (44%) Quite Useful (21%) 3 How often members visit to Resource Centre? Always (4%) Very often (31%) Sometimes (47%) 4 Reason of visit to Resource Centers from members Knowledge (16%) Collaboration (18%) Visited for both (51%) 5 Members who know the services provided by Resource Centers Yes (58%) No (42%) 18

19 6 Members satisfaction of Resource Centers services Very useful (36%) Useful (44%) Quite useful (13%) 7 The effectiveness of the information received form Resource centers Very useful (39%) Useful (43%) Quite useful (18%) Members who said the information provided 8 by Resource centers are up to date and Yes (53%) No (20%) relevant. 9 Members who want the Resource centers to open in the weekends Yes (44%) No (56%) 10 The effectiveness of IEC materials produced by FSWG Very useful (42%) Useful (42%) Quite useful (7%) Members who shared the information and 11 knowledge gained from FSWG s RCs to others within organizations, community and Yes (100%) No (0%) within region 12 The effectiveness of research reports which FSWG produced. Very useful (36%) Useful (44%) Quite useful (18%) 13 The satisfaction for the assistance of Resource center staff Very satisfied (24%) Satisfied (60%) Quite satisfied (2%) The following comments are given by FSWG members 1. FSWG should conduct the researches to record the types of soil, crops, the challenges and opportunity of farmers in different states and regions. 2. FSWG should not focus only on one or two areas for research. 3. FSWG should identify the new technologies which are able to adapt to changing environment, climate and weather conditions. 4. FSWG should open RC in Rakhine where poor knowledge and lack of awareness on new technology and good practices. 19

20 5. FSWG should provide new technology to reach grass root level via members. 6. FSWG should do member coordination meeting monthly. 7. FSWG is Weak on upland crops research. 8. FSWG should focus on dry zone crops, water management and climate mitigation. 9. FSWG should coordinate with regional government and explain about RCs for its effectiveness and sustainability. d) Plans for the next period Rakhine Regional Resource center will be formally opened at the end of 2016 and regional line departments and local authorities including prime minister will be invited to have strong coordination with the regional government and to seek the opportunities for future collaboration and sustainability and impact of FSWG activities. Knowledge Management Platform a) Progress toward the expected output and outcomes, and process A knowledge sharing platform was designed to disseminate the food security information, research findings, reports and other resources produced by FSWG and other different food security actors through FSWG website, face book page, IEC materials, Newsletters and e- flash. By seeing the members and different stakeholders reached to FSWG website and face book page, and increasing request to FSWG to have meeting and collaboration by International and local organization highlighting that the interest to FSWG is improving and coordination mechanism with members and different stakeholders is also getting better. E-Flash : FSWG e-flashes including FSWG activities, member activities, information sharing session, vacancy announcement from members and other knowledgeable information were shared by to members. FSWG new pamphlet was printed and distributed. Face book page : Information about FSWG s activities and other interesting food security related information are uploading in FSWG s Face book page and updating regularly during the reporting period. Over peoples reach the FSWG face book page and have received 6566 LIKE up to 22 nd June,

21 FSWG Website New and updated FSWG website both in Myanmar and English version was launched in May, 2016 and since beginning of the year, 1586 users from Myanmar and different countries such as UK, Brazil, USA, Australia, Singapore, India, Thailand, Japan and Italy reached to the website. In the website, there are the pages for members where they could upload their information and status by sending FSWG and the condition that members could upload their own information themselves was expected to achieve later. 21

22 Status of Website The status of FSWG website could check in the following table and figures. Sr. Month Sessions Users Page views Pages / Session 1 January , February , March , April , May , June , Jan - June 2,685 1,586 13, b) Lessons, new challenges and risks As FSWG is trying to collect and upload the information and research findings of FSWG and different stakeholders, it needs to take time to meet the target and FSWG needs to make promotion of its websites, face book page and other media such as newsletters to reach as much as possible among the members and different stakeholders. 22

23 c) Plans for the next period FSWG will try to maintain the current status of FSWG knowledge sharing platform and will improve always to provide more and more information which will benefit to members and food security actors in Myanmar and abroad. To get better coordination among members and other stakeholders, FSWG will introduce Sub national network concept to each area where resource centers were present: Yangon, Magwe, Taunggyi, Pathein and Taunggyoke. Policy Advocacy a) Progress toward the expected outputs and outcomes, and process Small Holder Inclusive Growth Model Trainings Small holder inclusive growth model trainings were designed to give the food for thoughts for advocacy planning workshops and to get better skill in policy advocacy. The trainings were facilitated and led by experienced agrarian specialists and the training aims to guide the FSWG members to seek the gaps in their works of current projects targeted to small holder farmers and community and to identify the practical issues to prioritize for policy advocacy. In the trainings the suitable guest speakers were invited and the training module 1 covered Hire Purchase (Farmer Managed Financial Services) and Inventory Credit System by Gret Bogalay, quality Seed Production of Farmers by participatory guarantee system (PGS) by Yadanar Ayar, System of Collective Sale of Rice by Mercy Corps, and organic farming by PGS by Fruit, Flower and vegetable Producer and Exporter Association. Training Module 2 covered Cluster development for inclusive growth by UNIDO, Rice cum fish culture by Jica, Freshwater Fishery Law for eight States and Regions and Fish Farm technology by Department of Fisheries. After trainings, the participants could have awareness and understanding of how can contract farming generate mutual benefits for businesses and smallholder farmers, to pursue traders and wholesalers willing to pay better price for better quality grain, What are the risks involved in paddy storage and inventory credit system and how farmer organizations can access financial services to develop their activities (storage or collective purchase of machineries and potential opportunities those small farmers could have the adoption of participatory guarantee system (PGS) in production and marketing of organic products or certified seeds. In additions, FSWG and its members recognize what are the key factors to advocate for the benefit of small holders and to include in existing laws and policies. 23

24 Policy Advocacy Action Planning Workshop Policy advocacy action planning workshop was held in July, 2016 as the workshop was postponed due to the availability of key persons. Overall 46 participants (31males and 15 females) from 35 organizations (5 INGO, 4 LNGO, 25 CBO, 1 Private) participated in the workshop. The workshop was carried out to agree on a framework of FSWG s Policy Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan, to agree on priorities for FSWG s policy advocacy activities in the period July 2016 to June 2017, to reform Policy Sub-group with FSWG members, to increase collaboration with different stakeholders such as Parliament, Government departments, and International and Local development organizations in policy advocacy arena. As a result of workshop, FSWG and its members identified the following laws to work on and will prioritize again in the discussion with members for different regional area and sub national network. After that, FSWG will do advocacy in collaboration with its member organizations and other stakeholder to improve and to be effective in policy advocacy works. 1. To do policy advocacy to include the followings facts in the bylaw of Protection of the Farmer Rights and Enhancement of their Benefits or to develop new policy related to the followings. To add necessary policy to form farmers organizations and about crop loss on natural disaster To add formation of farmers and farm labors associations To advocate for policy on value added products based upon agricultural production/ market 2. Fresh-water Fisheries Laws To form fisherman and aquatic labor organizations To add on some sector for protection of small fishery and fishermen under fresh-water fisheries law To develop policy for working under protection by authorities to the fishing implement license holders for fresh water 3. The Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law To form fisherman and aquatic labor organizations To develop policy for working under protection by authorities to the fishing implement license holders for salted water 24

25 4. Pesticide law To develop policy for identifying more specific standard To develop policy for Safety of environment and food security 5. Microfinance law To added of clauses in Microfinance law to provide loan not based upon properties. To develop loan policy for upland crops. 6. Village Fire-wood farm and forest governance law To develop village fire-wood farm and forest governance law at Regional level 7. Mini dam for irrigation Law To develop mini dam for irrigation law at Regional level 8. Agricultural Investment related law To add agricultural investment on Investment law To add-on clauses for protection on land ownership for small holder farmers To develop policy to protect the rights of small holder farmers under contract farming The methodology and detail plan will be finalized in the sub-national network meetings which will be held in sub-national regions, Yangon, Magwe, Ayeyarwady, Shan and Rakhine. The policy advocacy area what FSWG will works on is both in regional level and national level. The issues identified in each regional area will be prioritized to work with regional level government as they can also revise and make law according to the issues and context in each region. The rest issues which should be dealt with national level governments and parliament will be collected and will inform to national level authorities as a collective voice of members and their target communities. Reformation of Policy Subgroup Policy subgroup was reformed and new Policy Subgroup included Swiss Aid, Oxfam, Winrock International, Golden Plain Co. Ltd, Meet, FRDO, Metta Development Foundation, Gwa Township Farmer Union, AGE, Helvetas, NAG, Gret-Bogalay and interested Individuals. b) Lessons, new challenges and risks With the new government reformed, it is necessary to emphasize the policy advocacy in the national level as well as in the regional level as regional level government could make the 25

26 policy which will be suitable for different states and regions. Therefore, FSWG has plans to extend the policy advocacy works up to the regional level governments through sub national networks and RCs. c) Plans for the next period After approving the draft policy advocacy plan by members through sub-national networks based in Yangon, Magwe, Pathein, Taunggyi and Rakhine, FSWG will try to facilitate effective advocacy works in national as well as regional level governments. 4. KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING QUESTIONS (LQs) LQ 1: How does FSWG make sure their governance and networking approaches have the greatest possible impact on improving food security? To answer the question, FSWG is now trying to set up the most effective organization structure and better governance system by improving communication strategies that will leads to get better coordination mechanism among the network and to pursue the members to actively participate in the development of FSWG network. LQ 2: What is the best way to ensure the sustainability of FSWG? To answer the question, FSWG is trying to develop and improve its systems including fund raising strategy and to be an effective network which could share necessary information and give necessary support to its members and food security actors. If FSWG improve in strengthening of networks and can give strong commitment FSWG can received more funding. In addition, FSWG is applying registration as it is essential to apply more funding opportunity. LQ 3: What are the most effective ways to increase the awareness of members of Parliament, Cabinet members and Departmental Official (national and regional) about Food Security priorities? To answer the question, FSWG and its members are trying to get better coordination with national level government as well as with regional government to get trust on FSWG which is essential to achieve the policy advocacy works to inform the food security priorities and to accept the concept by getting awareness on the important of food security. In addition, FSWG will identify the important issues in each regional area through its sub national networks and RCs. 26

27 5. STAKEHOLDERS, POLICY INFLUENCE, AND CONFLICT-SENSITIVITY FSWG has been well known in the policy advocacy area and recognized by national level government officials and parliamentary members especially Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development committee in first Hlutt Taw and Department of Rural Development and Department of Agriculture. Currently, FSWG is maintaining the trust with National and regional level government to increase awareness to FSWG and its policy advocacy activities and to get better coordination and collaboration with policy makers as it is a key component of achieving policy advocacy works. FSWG participated in the multi stakeholder dialogue on strengthening local capacities for climate resilient agriculture in Myanmar s Dry Zone, on 30th-31st May 2016 at Nay Pyi Taw, led by the United Nations Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA-ESCAP) in partnership with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) and the Network Activities Group (NAG). Permanent secretory from Department of Agriculture, the chairmen of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development Special committee and Farmers and Labor Affairs special committee, the ministers and Directors of Agriculture, Livestock and irrigation from Magwe and Sagaing Region attended the workshop. During the workshop, FSWG could introduce with national and regional level governments and improve the coordination with different Government officials and stakeholders. FSWG already opened Regional Resource center in Pathein to have access by the members, community and line department and regional governments. FSWG tried to meet the minister of Agriculture, livestock and Irrigation & forestry and environmental conservation to introduce FSWG s activities in Ayeyarwaddy based on Pathein regional resource centers. Furthermore, FSWG participated in the Delta 3 program launching events and tried to improve the coordination with Regional Government, Line departments and diffierent stakeholders in Ayeyarwaddy Delta. In addition, during the policy advocacy action planning workshop organized by FSWG, the chairmen of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development Special committee from Pyi Thu Hluttaw attended and shared experiences and Priorities of Parliament in Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development sector. As a result, FSWG members and stakeholders had direct contact with the committee of Pyi Thu Hluttaw and they were encouraged to give suggestions and to request the meeting for any issues which are related to the committee by prior notice. FSWG have been discussed with the Chairman of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development Special committee to have a coordination meeting with the committees of Pyithu Hluttaw which are related to food security and livelihoods and Government officials from Department of Agriculture, Livestock and rural development in the late August to introduce about FSWG and its members and their policy advocacy Works as the committees are newly reformed. 27

28 6. GENDER Since the FSWG has concerned for gender equality, some efforts has been made during the inception phase. FSWG regularly participated in monthly Gender equality network meeting and FSWG is one of the steering committee members of Gender equality network. During the inception period, 33 % of female and 67 % of male participants participated in all activities of FSWG. The FSWG respect the principle that women should be given empowerment through equal participation and therefore, all program staffs are suggested to facilitate female participants to speak out and make voice in the trainings, workshops and learning and sharing public forums. 7. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES As the nutrition factor is one major component of food security and it is important for every day diet and health of woman and young child, FSWG is trying to support the nutrition awareness training in collaboration with LEARN project as they contribute resource person for basic nutrition trainings. Moreover, FSWG have good communication with other nutrition sector like Myanmar Nutrition Technical Network (MNTN) and FSWG is one of the steering committee members in SUN Civil Society Alliance Myanmar (SUNCSA). 8. SUSTAINABILITY AND EXIT STRATEGY FSWG is trying to revisit the funding strategy in 2016, through which we hope to ensure future financing to sustain our activities. At the same time, we are also exploring ways to generate more income, including through member contributions, sale of IEC materials, and renting out our training room on days we don t use it. Once the Secretariat establishment has been formalized and has the appropriate capacity and FSWG governance structure is stable and strengthen, FSWG will look to generate income through the selling of its training facilitation, translation services, and completing research. It will also consider opening up a small number of training places to non-members as a mean of raising revenue. The skills that are being taught to our members will not be lost after the LIFT project ends; they will continue to use them to help improve the food security situation in Myanmar. FSWG has put in its utmost efforts to maintain all of its RCs by maintaining better coordination and collaboration with appropriate line departments and regional governments. 28

29 9. VALUE FOR MONEY (VFM) AND EFFICIENCY FSWG is trying to control the effectiveness of cost for all activities by encouraging members to contribute their own resources as much as they could and FSWG also tried to get better coordination and collaboration with line departments where technical resources are available and tried to identify local resource persons who have enough regional knowledge and capacity to reduce the cost for resource person while they are brining from Yangon and other area. On the other hand, FSWG is trying to collaborate with members and stakeholders who have the same goals with FSWG and to organize trainings or events together with them. e.g. Basic nutrition trainings were conducted by collaboration with LEARN project, Save the Children. The average cost per person trained in the reporting period was about 44US$ (about 22 US$ per person/day) under all activities. Being in the inception period, it is difficult to discuss for cost effectiveness, however, as FSWG is trying to improve the quality and effectiveness of all activities organized, the cost-benefit ratio could increase based on the project achievement. PREPARED BY Name: Title: Dr. Khin Pa Pa Wai Coordinator Organization: Food Security Working Group Signature: 29

30 10. ANNEXES A. Draft SNN Concept B. List of Meetings and events which FSWG staff attended C. Details of trainings and events organized by FSWG during inception period 30