POSRO/RAF/011/EC-FSTP: FINAL REPORT

Transcription

1 Member of the Kajama PFS group in Ethiopia INITIATIVE IN SUPPORT OF VULNERABLE PASTORALISTS AND AGRO-PASTORALISTS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA RISPA POSRO/RAF/011/EC-FSTP: FINAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 2013

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 3 INTRODUCTION... 4 ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN AS PER LOA... 5 RESULTS ACHIEVED AND FORESEEN IMPACT... 8 SUCCESS STORIES... 9 RECOMMENDATIONS

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VSF Suisse received funds to implement a cross border project in Mandera East and North Districts of Mandera County in the North Eastern province of Kenya and the Dollo Ado district in Liben Zone of Somali National Regional State in Ethiopia. The project was targeting the agro-pastoralist communities along the River Daua on both sides of the border. The main objective of the project was to contribute to reduced vulnerability of agro-pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa by strengthening institutional and policy framework. The objective was to be achieved by training of community facilitators and district authorities on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and development of contingency plans; facilitating the formation, establishment and supporting Pastoralist Field Schools (PFS) and Village Community Banking groups (VICOBA). Through the project resilience of these vulnerable communities was built and their livelihoods were further diversified. Project achievements: i. 27 participants comprising of community members and local district authorities staff were trained to be community facilitators on CMDRR contingency plans development. The participants included government field staff, local administration leaders and other community groups representatives. ii. With support from the trained facilitators, the communities developed their contingency plans in a participatory manner: seven contingency plans were developed in total (three in Kenya, four in Ethiopia) per site (12 plans developed in Mandera County). iii. Eight PFS comprising 30 members each were formed and duly registered with the Department of Social Services. The groups selected the following topics for their action oriented research: Irrigated fodder and food crop production Dairy goat rearing using exotic breeds and crossing the exotic with the local indigenous breeds Improved indigenous dairy cattle rearing with emphasis on supplementary feeding Use of animal manure on farms to improve soil fertility iv. Eight VICOBA groups comprising 30 members each were formed in each targeted location of Rhamu and Shantoley in Mandera North; Gingo and Bulla Haji in Mandera East in Kenya and Kajama, Daytuli, Deriburis and Ga adur in Ethiopia. According to the main findings from an impact assessment conducted at the end of the project, the beneficiaries were generally satisfied with the fodder production component. The project component was successfully implemented despite challenges like insecurity and flooding of the farms. Delays in the submission of the PFS grants also delayed the meetings process and as such no group managed to attain the 48 weeks meeting required for graduation. From the assessment it is noted that at least 50% of the PFS group s members have the knowledge, commitment and ability to improve their own livelihoods through improved fodder production as well as irrigated food crop production and rearing of dairy goats and cattle. 75% of the interviewed groups have collectively increased their income from sale of hay and other fodder crops. Main recommendations: Duration of the PFS learning cycle needs to be increased to allow for more conclusive learning. The total budget allocated for the project compared to the actual cost and expected activities needs to be reconsidered for future projects. More time and effort needs to be put into creating more awareness on the PFS approach and enhancing diffusion of the learning that has taken place in the group to other communities in the locality. 3

4 PFS networks should be formed to bring together several groups in a given geographical area to enable them to act as a self-oriented local institution. This will ensure continuation of activities and keep up the dynamics generated by the project. Training of community facilitators should be extended to 3-4 weeks in order to adequately include more practical experience on PFS exercises. 4

5 INTRODUCTION The livelihood of over 81% of households in the Greater Mandera District depends on livestock while crop production contributes to about 18%. The subsistence crops grown are maize, sorghum, cowpeas, groundnuts, bananas, mangoes, pawpaw, tomatoes and kales. Nonetheless, unreliable water supply, pest infestation, little awareness of benefits of farming, and lack of farm inputs and processing facilities for oil crops produced in the region, plague the crop sector. The sub-perennial Daua River limits potential for crop production but the irrigation potential has not yet been fully exploited. Only 19% of the total potential of 5,110 ha is currently utilized. Due to the poorly developed economic sector, an estimated 65% of Mandera s population is unable to meet their minimum basic requirement for a healthy life 1. VSF Suisse was targeting the agro-pastoralist communities along the River Daua on both sides of the border. Focus of the project was to develop contingency plans for the farming communities. Holistic management approaches, such as the fertilization of farm lands using animal manure, was also introduced to the targeted beneficiaries. VSF Suisse facilitated the formation of the PFS and VICOBA groups which were registered with the Department of Social Services so that they can have access to local funds. PFS were established and through the facilitation of the District Livestock Production Officers (DLPOs) the groups selected various topics for their action-oriented research based on the problems analyzed by the communities themselves in order to provide community based solutions. Due to the current insecurity being experienced along the Mandera East border areas of Kenya, VSF-Suisse made the decision to carry out the RPI project partly in Mandera East which was the originally selected location and also include Mandera North District. Mandera North also borders the southern part of Ethiopia and there are many agro-pastoralists farming along the River Daua in this area. As from October 2012 to mid-2013 most parts of Mandera North were also experiencing insecurity threats from neighboring clans across the border in Ethiopia. This made monitoring trips by the VSF Suisse Field staff and the DLPOs difficult and the number was reduced. The beneficiaries were also experiencing difficulties accessing and working on their farms. This also led to a delay in the PFS groups to carry out various activities in these areas. Objectives Overall Objective: To contribute to reduced vulnerability of agro-pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa. Specific Objective: To strengthen institutional and policy framework affecting resilience of agro-pastoral communities and the diversification of their livelihoods. Geographical coverage In Kenya, the project was implemented in the districts of Mandera East and Mandera North in Mandera County in the north Eastern province of Kenya. In Ethiopia, the project was implemented in the Dollo Ado district in Liben Zone of Somali National Regional State. Dollo-Ado is located in the angle formed by the confluence of the Ganale River with the Daua River, and is bordered to the west by Mubarak district of Liben zone, to the northwest by Filtu (one of the six districts Liben Zone comprises),to the southeast by Somali, on the north and east by Afder Zone, and on the south by Kenya. 1 KFSSG Food Security Mandera District Profile

6 Beneficiaries: disaggregate male and female The full list of the PFS and VICOBA groups selected is attached in Annex 1. Beneficiary selection encouraged women participation, targeting a minimum percentage of attendance by women: 60% men and 40% women for the PFS groups and 60% women and 40% men for the VICOBA groups. Particular attention was given to inclusion of vulnerable members from the communities especially in the VICOBA groups. In total 453 beneficiaries (155 women and 298 men) directly benefited from the project activities, including the PFS group members, VICOBA group members and the people who were trained on CMDRR. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN AS PER LOA The activities for which funds were provided by FAO under the LOA are the following: i) Presentation of the project to and for approval by the relevant authorities. Identification and selection of beneficiary communities in close collaboration with the district authorities. In Kenya, the project was presented to the DSGs. The groups were selected keeping into consideration the locations covered by COOPI and other NGOs carrying out similar activities as well as selecting areas where agro-pastoralists were already actively participating in farming of fodder and other crops. The selection of the locations was also guided by the recommendations from the DLPOs of the two districts. The locations to be covered by VSF-Suisse were Gingo/Darika and Bulla Haji locations in Mandera East and Rhamu and Shantoley locations in Mandera North. On the Ethiopian side of the border, the project was presented to the Somali region Livestock, Crop and Rural Development Bureau (LCRDB). The project benefited from preliminary consultations with the community and local authorities who contributed much towards the success of the project. Significant stakeholder participation was guaranteed starting from the design of the project, all the way into the implementation of the activities. ii) Training of community facilitators and district authorities on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and carrying out of risk/hazard analysis with targeted agro-pastoralist communities. 27 participants (15 in Kenya and 12 in Ethiopia) comprising of community members and local district authorities staff were trained to be community facilitators on CMDRR contingency plans development. The training was conducted in Rhamu, Mandera North and in Suftu Kebele of Dollo Ado District (for training see Annex 2). After the training the community facilitators led the communities in developing contingency plans based on the hazards as perceived by the communities. They will also be able to facilitate a Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment in their communities and come up with practical, feasible and cost effective measures of disaster risk reduction whose implementation is spearheaded by the community. These trained community facilitators assisted the district experts and VSF-Suisse technical staff collecting baseline data in their respective Kebele/villages in order to obtain information with regard to livelihood profile and disaster risks of the selected communities. This enabled the project to better prepare and develop disaster scenarios based on the assessment of the coping strategies and the livelihood profile. It included hazard analysis, rapid assessment in health, nutrition, market prices and risk/outcome analysis. iii) Development of eight contingency plans with agro-pastoralist communities. 16 Contingency plans (12 in Kenya and four in Ethiopia) were developed in a participatory manner with the community, facilitated by the trained facilitators. It was intended for the communities to share the available resources and empower them to advocate effectively on their vulnerability to the authorities in order to build a safer and more resilient community. The plans will enable the community to speak with a clear and consistent voice on the issues of CMDRR, supporting them to save lives and build stronger communities. The ability to facilitate CMDRR process is further built. Though the contingency plans are not 6

7 financed, local communities on the Ethiopian side are implementing and updating the preparedness plans accordingly to the broad contingency plan of the Woreda. The developed plans have been attached in Annex 3. The main objectives of contingency planning with the community: Empower pastoralists with knowledge and skills to make them experts in their own context Enable pastoralists livelihoods to become more resilient and less vulnerable to disasters such as drought Facilitate pastoralist communities to learn new ways to solve problems and adapt to change Sharpen the ability of pastoralists to make critical and informed decisions that strengthen their coping mechanisms Help pastoralists learn how to best organize themselves and their communities Provide platforms where pastoralist groupings and extension and research workers jointly test Adapt options within the specific local conditions. Development of the CMDRR was in collaboration with the district structures and offices who participate in the creation of contingency plans on district level. Local CMDRR plans were thus upscaled and incorporated in the district and county level preparedness plans. The National Drought Management Authority took up the Arid Lands Office structures at the county levels and this office was involved in the development of the plans where it was represented by the Drought Management Officer and his staff. The communities are involved in differrent activies as highlighted in the plans but the activities are led by different NGOs and government departments and the communities ensure participation to achievement of the success of the plans. iv) Formation of 8 Pastoral Field Schools (PFS) with the agro-pastoralist communities. Eight PFS groups have been established one in each of the four selected locations in the two districts: Tawakal Gingo PFS group in Mandera East Bulla Haji Tawakal PFS group in Mandera East Malkakuna Rhamu PFS group in Mandera North Shantoley Walkabana PFS group in Mandera North Kajama PFS group in Dollo Ado Daytuli PFS group in Dollo Ado Deriburis PFS group in Dollo Ado Ga adur PFS group in Dollo Ado The PFS activities targeted poor farmers, vulnerable families and rural unemployed women and their families. All the PFS groups established under the support of this project were formed, as per the PFS guidelines provided, in a participatory manner and largely by the engagement of community members themselves. The Kenyan groups were duly registered with the Department of Social Services and are now a recognized and legitimate community group legible for funding and assistance from other organizations, government and non-government organizations. The groups in Ethiopia were encouraged to be registered and recognized by the government in order to have access to local funds. Although women s role in each PFS group was enormous, cultural issues still downplayed the role of women in these groups. As their participation in the learning activities are restricted it was impossible for women to be trained as community facilitators. v) Training of PFS facilitators 20 PFS facilitators (12 in Ethiopia and eight in Kenya) were nominated by the PFS groups and they were trained on how to facilitate the PFS group s activities and to plan for their action oriented research. The PFS 7

8 facilitators training report has been attached in Annex 4. Unlike other PFS practitioners who preferred to use government extension workers as facilitators, the project opted to execute the PFS initiatives using facilitators coming from the community itself as they know the community better, speak a similar language, are recognized by PFS participants as colleagues, and as they are very familiar with the area. This approach gave an added advantage as working with community facilitators is cheaper than using government extension workers as PFS facilitators. The major functions delivered by each of the trained PFS facilitators after their graduation as a facilitator included: Ground working - activities conducted with the objective of introducing the PFS concept and the project in the targeted villages Focus enterprises identified - priority problems and their solutions, determined level of technology, and identified existing technologies which were not yet fully utilized and Established an understanding on the exiting farmers / livestock owners practices Sensitization meeting conducted - to explain PFS, this made it clear to the PFS members what to expect and what not to expect PFS participants identified - they selected 30 participants who found the PFS exercise relevant for their development and those who showed commitment to invest in learning and community development Learning site/ field identified - the trained PFS facilitators selected an enterprise and learning site that has the required conditions to facilitate the learning process The PFS facilitators training was conducted during two weeks. The master trainer from the DLPOs office was constrained on how to divide his time with the different organizations that required his expertise. As VSF-Suisse has a staff member who has been trained as a Master trainer, he was the one who conducted the PFS trainings. During the project implementation period there were several changes in the government structures and re-deployment of field staff which also interrupted the flow of collaboration with the livestock department staff. vi) Identification of action oriented research, in line with the established preparedness plans The identification of action-oriented research activities were discussed with communities and details are given in the Section below. vii) Facilitation of the implementation of action oriented research The groups were guided by the DLPOs and the VSF-Suisse field staff in identifying and prioritizing the needs and areas action-oriented research could be carried out in. The groups received cash grants from FAO in March 2013 of Ksh 120,000 (USD 1,500) to facilitate the implementation of the action-oriented research that they had identified based on their needs. The following table summarizes the key learning achievements by the PFS groups of Ethiopia and Kenya as part of their action research: ETHIOPIAN PFS IN DOLO ADO DISTRICT KENYAN PFS IN MANDERA COUNTY Name of the Learning exercises conducted Name of the Learning exercises conducted groups groups Kajama groups Purchased two heifers combining Bulla Haji Irrigation farming of food crops such the learning grant provided and Tawakal group as maize, beans, tomatoes and their savings to feed maize vegetables as well as fodder fodder cultivated on the plot production land of the group Daytuli groups Purchased 13 goats combining learning grant and group contribution to feed maize Malkakuna Rhamu group Irrigated fodder production; rearing of dairy goats and crossbred dairy cattle 8

9 Deriburis group Ga adur group fodder Purchased eleven goats besides engaging in cultivation of maize and beans for income generation Purchased ten goats combining the learning grant provided and group savings to feed maize fodder as supplement Shantoley Walkabana group Tawakal group Gingo Irrigated fodder production; dairy goat rearing including crossbreeding local goats with exotic dairy breeds; indigenous dairy cow rearing Irrigated fodder and food crop production On the Ethiopian side the situation looks the same as in Kenya but the co-funding of SDC helped the groups to precede their learning and experimentation for the time being. Due to the delays in the receipt of the PFS grants, benefits from rearing of dairy goats and cross bred cattle could not be established within the project period as the time for the animal to be productive and give benefits had not lapsed yet. viii) Identification and formation of eight VICOBA groups Eight VICOBA groups (four in Kenya and four in Ethiopia) were identified and formed in each location/kabele. The groups were trained in group dynamics, savings and business skills. The full training report is attached in Annex 5. The group commands all bank operations by themselves. The VICOBA approach enabled needy women to form strong and cohesive groups, mobilize their own savings and use them as capital for their income generating activities and domestic needs. The approach built capacities of the community to manage own resources and activities, including easy and transparent book-keeping systems ix) Support to four VICOBA groups and assessing opportunities of mobilizing community-based contingency funds to manage disasters. The VICOBA groups were trained on development of small income generating activities that can be linked to the developed CMDRR plans. The groups are contributing towards their kitty using their own resources. The groups were assisted to be registered with the Department of Social Services after which they can be legible to access development funds from the community funding structures. x) Exchange visits and necessary study tours Exchange visits were planned to be carried out in 2013 where VSF-Suisse was to bring the Ethiopian farmers to Kenya and take the Kenyan farmers across to Ethiopia. Due to the insecurity conditions experienced in Mandera and parts of Ethiopia from January till July 2013 and the border restrictions imposed on movement of people by the Kenyan Immigration Department, this activity could not be carried out as planned. xi) Monitoring and evaluation Regular monitoring of the PFS groups was conducted by the VSF-Suisse field staff and the DPLOs. Insecurity threats that were experienced in the region especially in Mandera North often hindered the VSF-Suisse staff from visiting the Mandera North groups. FAO field monitoring officers also visited the beneficiaries in their monitoring and evaluation field visit done in January On the Ethiopian side, the FAO Gode suboffice paid twice a monitoring visit (early January 2013 and end of August 2013). The VSF-Suisse country office and the Dollo sub-office have benefited extensively from the technical backstopping of FAO. In addition, VSF-Suisse staff with the assistance of Dollo-Ado LCRD was used paid close mentoring and backstopping for the groups. 9

10 RESULTS ACHIEVED AND FORESEEN IMPACT The outputs expected to be achieved by the end of the project are shown below against what was actually achieved: Expected Outputs Training of at least 30 community and local authorities on DRR methods Eight contingency plans developed in agro-pastoralist communities along the River Daua Eight PFS (with up to 30 members each) established and carrying out action-oriented research linked to the needs identified in the contingency plans and involving holistic Management approaches Eight VICOBA groups (with up to 30 members each) established Achieved outputs 27 participants comprising of community members and local district authorities staff were trained to be community facilitators on CMDRR contingency plans development. The participants included government field staff, local administration leaders and other community groups representatives. Contingency plans have been developed in a participatory manner with the community facilitated by the trained facilitators. Seven contingency plans were developed (three in Kenya, four in Ethiopia) per site (12 plans developed in Mandera County). Eight PFS comprising 30 members each were formed and duly registered with the Department of Social Services. The groups selected the following topics for their action oriented research: i. Irrigated fodder and food crop production ii. Dairy goat rearing using exotic breeds as well as crossing the exotic breeds with the local indigenous breeds iii. Improved indigenous dairy cattle rearing with emphasis on supplementary feeding iv. Use of animal manure on farms to improve soil fertility Eight VICOBA groups comprising 30 members each were formed in each targeted location of Rhamu and Shantoley in Mandera North; Gingo and Bulla Haji in Mandera East in Kenya and Kajama, Daytuli, Deriburis and Ga adur in Ethiopian side An impact assessment was conducted in July 2013 and the main conclusions are that the beneficiaries were generally satisfied with the fodder production component and the way the organization staff handled all the process. This assessment shows that this component of the project was successfully implemented though challenges like insecurity and flooding of farms impacted on the full realization of the goals. Delays in the submission of the PFS grants also delayed the meetings process and as such no group managed to attain the 48 weeks meeting required for graduation. From the assessment it is noted that at least 50% of the PFS group s members have the knowledge, commitment and ability to improve their own livelihoods through improved fodder production as well as irrigated food crop production and rearing of dairy goats and cattle. 75% of the interviewed groups have collectively increased their income from sale of hay and other fodder crops. The full report is attached in Annex 6 which also includes the DLPO Monitoring reports. In general, at the community level the implementation of the main project activities (PFS, CMDRR and VICOBA) led to improved knowledge on disaster preparedness, benefits of group approach to development activities as well as breeding a saving culture in the community groups. This has been noted from the PFS and VICOBA groups participation and zeal in the group activities. The members are also continuing with the group meetings and activities even after completion of the project. The DLPO and other government extension staff are committed to giving backstopping services where needed to ensure the groups are well supported technically. 10

11 SUCCESS STORIES Malkakuna PFS group in Rhamu, Mandera North Chairman Mr. Suleiman Muhamud Filla Mr. Suleiman Muhamud Filla is 43 years old and hails from Rhamu in Mandera North Sub-county. He is married with 6 children; he owns 13 heads of cattle and 35 sheep and goats as well as two donkeys. Suleiman has been farming for over 15 years on land he inherited from his parents. He has been growing different crops such as simsim, cowpeas, watermelons, and maize. After the training in fodder production by VSF-Suisse in 2011 he started planting fodders though initially only on a small scale - since he was skeptical about the project. After the first trial and the great output I harvested especially from the Sudan grass, I was impressed and encouraged to put in more effort in fodder production, he explains. Since 2012 I have produced over 200 bales of Sudan grass, part of which I sold to the government for relief intervention at up to 450 Ksh per bale. I have always been selling maize stalk as fodder but now I am seeing the benefits of fodder production. Traditionally, pasture was considered to be of little value in this village and was mostly burned out. He elaborates on the recent growing interest: My fodder production has generated a lot of interest among my neighbors. Six people have already borrowed my hay while others borrowed my hay box to bale their own. Many people have asked me for seeds so that they can try for themselves and some have inquired on how they can be recruited as VSF beneficiaries Keen interest shown by the group Suleiman is one of the few farmers who is literate and thus is naturally selected by his peers to chair and represent the farmers in various forums. He was elected as the chairperson for the Malkakuna Rhamu PFS group in Mandera North. As a registered group, we as farmers have really benefitted a lot from the trainings and material support from VSF-Suisse. We are also being recognized by other organizations and government for added support and trainings. The government knows they can rely on us to get a steady supply of hay when needed since we sell it collectively as a group, he added. Mr. Suleiman receiving the cheque for the PFS group grants from a VSF-Suisse representative as DLPO Mr. Karera looks on The group started slow due to the delays in the receipt of grants but the farmers continued meeting to plan their action-research activities which included irrigated fodder production, rearing of dairy goats and crossbred dairy cattle. Once we received the funds, we went full scale on what we had planned and from the group farm we have already harvested 20 bales of Sudan grass and sold maize stovers bringing a total of Kshs 15,400 in income. We have faced a lot of challenges since the beginning of the year due to conflict with neighboring clans and we also lost several farm implements and some animals to vandals who broke into the group farm and stores. We reported this to the chief and the case is still pending. 11

12 Future He feels that as a group, the Malkakuna farmers can sell hay and fodder to NGOs in local and other markets out of Mandera County as he now believes that the market has been opened up. As the fodder can last for six years with proper storage, he feels there is no problem to store until the next drought period. Now we understand the benefits, we will promote fodder production throughout the entire community. RECOMMENDATIONS Duration of the PFS learning cycle needs to be increased to allow for more conclusive learning since group formation and ground working took longer time than usual due to high illiteracy levels of local community and other dynamics of the pastoral communities. The total budget allocated for the project compared to the actual cost and expected activities needs to be reconsidered for future projects. More time and effort needs to be put into creating more awareness on the PFS approach and enhancing diffusion of the learning that has taken place in the group to other communities in the locality. PFS networks should be formed to bring together several groups in a given geographical area to enable them to act as a self-oriented local institution. This will ensure continuation of activities and keep up the dynamics generated by the project. After graduation, PFS groups should be encouraged to register with the relevant local authorities as this is an important step towards recognition and eventual access to government funding and other emerging opportunities. Training of community facilitators should be extended to 3-4 weeks in order to adequately include more practical experience on PFS exercises. 12