AGRIBUSINESS SUPPORT FUND PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT Livelihood Initiative for Flood-Affectees Empowerment (LIFE) in Union Council Baseera and Union Council Mehmood Kot, District Muzaffargarh, Punjab, Pakistan Prepared For Concern Worldwide - Pakistan February, 2011 The project was funded under Responding to Pakistan s Internally Displaced (RAPID) Fund of Concern Worldwide established under an umbrella grant from USAID and Office of the U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
Table of Contents Table of Contents... ii List of Acronyms... iii Preface... 1 1. Beneficiary Numbers... 2 2. Final Activities Completed... 3 3. Final Indicator Results... 6 4. Coordination... 7 5. Operating Environment... 8 6. Overall Impact of Project... 9 7. Case Study-1... 11 8. Case Study-2... 12 9. Case Study-3... 13 10. Case Study-4... 14 ii
List of Acronyms ASF DCO DPO EDO FSCRD HHs IOM KM OFDA UC USAID WASH WFP Agribusiness Support Fund District Coordination Officer Deputy Police Officer Executive District Officer Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department Households International Organization for Migration Kilometer U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Union Council United States Agency for International Development Water, Sanitation & Hygiene World Food Program iii
Preface Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) is a not-for-profit company incorporated under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984. The company was established in 2005 under the context of Agribusiness Development & Diversification Project (ADDP) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB). The overall focus of ASF is to strengthen and support demand-driven private sector service delivery mechanisms throughout the agribusiness value chain including supply inputs, production, processing, and market access for domestic and export markets. With the mission to support economic growth and employment generation through agribusiness development in Pakistan, ASF operates, and has offices throughout Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and FATA). Under the ADB-funded program, ASF has, to date, completed 5,341 projects worth PKR.1.00 billion. These projects include grant support to 471 existing enterprises / farmers ; 115 startups; 712 projects of capacity building of farmers, consultants & professionals; 11 research & development projects; 32 extension services projects; formation of 2,000 Farmer Enterprise Groups (consisting of 20,000 small-scale farmers, including 25% women) in various geographical clusters in collaboration with partner NGOs & RSPs, and support to these FEGs in setting up and operating 2,000 micro enterprises on commercially viable basis. In October 2010, Concern Worldwide - Pakistan, under its Responding to Pakistan s Internally Displaced (RAPID) Fund established under an umbrella grant from USAID and Office of the U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), awarded a project valued at PKR. 25.470 million to ASF for provision of wheat seeds and agricultural hand tools to flood-affected farmer communities of Union Council Baseera and Union Council Mehmood Kot of District Muzaffargarh. The project entitled Livelihood Initiative for Flood- Affectees Empowerment (LIFE) was an emergency project of duration of 3 months, and was launched on 28 th October, 2010, targeting 9,000 households consisting of 63,000 family members. The project was implemented in collaboration with Mojaz Foundation which is a well-known Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with presence in the area under project implementation. The project was completed on 27 th January, 2011. This project completion report, prepared as per prescribed format, covers the complete implementation activities, including those already reported in interim report, for the entire duration of project extending from 28 th October, 2010 to 27 th January, 2011. 1
1. Beneficiary Numbers The distribution activity was carried out in multiple shifts to enable the beneficiary farmers to sow wheat seed in a timely manner. As a result, distribution of seeds to all the 9,000 households (HHs) was completed on 1 st December, 2010; whereas the entire distribution of agricultural hand tools to these HHs was completed on 3 rd December, 2010. Age- and gender-wise break-up of family members of beneficiary HHs is provided below: Category Total No. of families Age breakdown Males Females Total individual beneficiaries Originally Projected IDPs - Under 18 - - - - Over 18 - - - - Returnees 9,000 Under 18 19,665 18,300 37,965 36,000 Over 18 11,867 11,753 23,620 27,000 Host - Under 18 - - - - Over 18 - - - - Total Achievement 9,000-31,532 30,053 61,585 63,000 Originally Projected 9.000-31,000 32,000 63,000 - As reflected in above table, the 9,000 beneficiary HHs consisted of a total of 61,885 family members, out of which 31,832 (51%) were males and 30,053 (49%) were females. Age-wise break-up of beneficiaries is as follows: 62% of the beneficiaries were under 18 years old and 38% of the beneficiaries were over 18 years old. There is no significant deviation of achieved number of beneficiaries from the original projected number of beneficiaries. Details of beneficiary family members are also provided in chart given below: Gender-wise details of total beneficiary family members supported under the project Females 30,053 49% Males 31,832 51% Males Females Figure 1 - Gender-wise Details of Beneficiary Family Members 2
2. Final Activities Completed All the project activities were carried out in a smooth and transparent manner and the project was completed well within the proposed time-frame. Key activities carried out during the implementation cycle of project are summarized hereunder: A rapid assessment study was conducted in target Union Councils at project design stage. Taking into consideration population of 13,800 HHs within a radius of 15 Km in the target area, a sample size of 95 HHs was taken for a confidence level of 95%, with a margin of error of 5%, and estimated response distribution of 90%. A customized questionnaire was used to collect two types of information; first, the basic information to develop household profiles of farmers communities, including assessment of damages to agricultural lands; second, the response of farmers communities on need, workability, effectiveness, scale and outreach of the proposed intervention was collected to establish true need assessment in context of seed systems and agricultural inputs intervention. After approval of the project by Concern Worldwide, the mobilization process was initiated to identify target beneficiaries in target villages / Figure 2 - Wheat seed bags ready at camp for distribution Figure 3 - An aged farmer on crutches taking away agricultural tools distributed under the project. (Seeds bag, being heaving in weight, was handed over to his son who accompanied him) 3
mouzas. This was a participatory exercise which was carried out with the involvement of communities of affected villages. Beneficiary lists were prepared and entered in MS Excel. The procurement of wheat seeds and agricultural hand tools was managed at ASF head office situated at Lahore. A procurement committee, represented by three officials of ASF and one official of Mojaz Foundation, was formed to carry out procurement of all supplies. After waiver of tendering requirement by Concern Worldwide, the seeds were procured directly from Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC). The seeds (Sehar 2006 variety) were supplied by PSC in 9,000 bags of 50 Kg each and were certified by Federal Seeds Certification & Registration Department (FSCRD). The procurement of tools was carried out through an open tender. In addition to representatives of bidders, the tender opening session was also attended by an official of Concern Worldwide as an observer. Seven bidders participated in the tender and, as per decision of the committee the contract for supply of 9,000 sets of tools (spades, hand hoes and sickles) was jointly awarded to two successful bidders. All the tools were supplied in packaging bearing logos of USAID, Concern Worldwide, ASF & Mojaz Foundation, and prominent mention of the phrase that the support had been provided by the American people. Figure 4 - Women farmers, accompanied by male members of family, taking away seeds & tools A warehouse with a total area of 8,500 sft was rented in Multan and all the supplies were stored in that warehouse. The supplies were then transported to field in Muzaffargarh on periodic basis as per daily distribution schedule. Any undistributed supplies were transported back to the warehouse on the same day. All the movements of stock were properly recorded and authenticated in a stock register maintained at the warehouse. The distribution of supplies was carried out in batches on a daily basis. Tokens were provided to each member of a batch a day before the distribution. The tokens contained profile information of the beneficiary; date, time and venue of delivery of seeds and tools. On the distribution day, particulars of the beneficiary carrying the distribution token were verified and one bag of wheat seeds of 50 kg and one set of hand tools (spade, hand hoe and sickle) was handed over to each beneficiary. The signatures / thumb impression of each beneficiary were obtained as acknowledgement of delivery of supplies. A special effort was made to ensure compliance with the branding requirements as per guidelines of OFDA. 4
According to guidelines issued by Agricultural Extension Department, Government of Punjab, ideal time for sowing Sehar-2006 variety of Wheat in target area is 1 st November, 2010 15 th December, 2010, and distribution was completed well within the recommended time-frame.. The distribution of seeds to all the 9,000 households (HHs) was completed on 1 st December, 2010; whereas the entire distribution of agricultural hand tools to these HHs was completed on 3 rd December, 2010. A post-distribution monitoring and beneficiary satisfaction survey of 402 beneficiary HHs was also carried out to assess the overall satisfaction of program beneficiaries and to also collect information for facilitation of post-distribution monitoring activities. 5
3. Final Indicator Results The final indicators achieved against the target indicators of the project are provided in table given below. Indicators Target Indicator Final Result Indicator-1 Indicator-2 12 months of food self-sufficiency from distributed seed systems/agricultural input for 9000 beneficiary families. 63,000 people to benefit from the seed systems/agricultural input activities under the project. Average 9.15 months of food self-sufficiency attained from distributed seed systems/agricultural input for 9,000 beneficiary families. 1-6 months of food self-sufficiency for 20 % of the beneficiaries 7-12 months of food self-sufficiency for 78 % of the beneficiaries More than 12 months of food self-sufficiency for 2 % of the beneficiaries Average 9.15 months of food self-sufficiency attained under the project for 9,000 HHs 61,585 people benefitted from the seed systems/agricultural input activities under the project. As reflected in above table, on average 9.15 months of food self-sufficiency for 9,000 HHs were attained against the target of 12 months for same number of HHs. Furthermore, total 61,585 family members benefitted from the project intervention against the target of 63,000 persons. 6
4. Coordination The District Coordination Office, Muzaffargarh, Government of Punjab was taken on board right from day one when the initial assessment was started in the District. An endorsement and NOC was also obtained from District Coordination Officer (DCO), Muzaffargarh before launch of project activities. In order to facilitate smooth implementation of activities in the District, the DCO office also sent the copies of NOC and project introduction to other relevant District offices including: Executive District Officer (EDO) - Revenue, District Police Officer (DPO), District Officer (Revenue), and Deputy District Officer (Revenue). Involvement of District Revenue Department was vital to avoid any duplication of support to the same beneficiaries who may have been supported under any other similar program. The DCO personally visited the project activities on a regular basis and was pleased with the project s efforts aimed towards revival of agricultural livelihood in the District. Mojaz Foundation has been actively involved in various development activities in the District and has close coordination with other development agencies working in the area. The other development agencies working in the area include: World Food Program (WFP), working on distribution of food items; Turkish Aid, working on WASH and Shelter projects; Open Society Foundation, working on WASH projects in collaboration with Mojaz Foundation; and International Organization for Migration (IOM), working on Shelter and Non-Food Items. The Punjab Government also distributed wheat seeds and Figure 5: District Coordination Officer (DCO) - Muzaffargarh (Government of Punjab) personally involved in seeds & tools distribution activities. fertilizers in the area. Beneficiaries, database was shared with the DCO to avoid any duplication of support under any other similar programs. Figure 6: Concern Worldwide- USA team having look at arrangements at a distribution camp in Mehmood Kot. Officials of Concern Worldwide - Pakistan, ASF and Mojaz Foundation are also seen in picture. Finally, a strong coordination between ASF and Mojaz Foundation was always important for smooth implementation of project activities. While both the organizations nominated focal persons to look after and coordinate project activities, a formal meeting of representatives of both organizations at the start and end of each distribution day was a routine to review overall progress and to carry out planning for next day. 7
5. Operating Environment As mentioned earlier, the entire process of distribution of seeds and tools was carried out in a smooth and transparent manner and no significant threats and challenges, which could adversely affect the planned results, were faced during implementation. Some of the minor issues, which were resolved accordingly, faced during the project implementation included: road infrastructure, especially in Mehmood Kot, has been badly destroyed due to floods and reaching the beneficiaries was at times quite challenging and traveling to some of the affected villages was very hectic and took more than the expected time; similarly, some of the identified female beneficiaries were, due to cultural constraints and poor road infrastructure, reluctant to travel to distribution camps which were initially at some distance from their residences. In order to resolve this issue, on-site distribution camps within villages were arranged so that everybody, especially women and aged farmers, could easily obtain the seeds and tools. Development activities including WASH, Shelter and food arrangements being implemented by other agencies in the same area served to supplement the agriculture-based revival initiative undertaken under the project. Figure 7 - Farmers sitting in distribution camp with tokens, waiting for their turn Figure 8: A group of farmers taking away seeds & tools distributed under the project to their village on a trolley 8
6. Overall Impact of Project A post-distribution survey was carried out to assess the overall satisfaction of program beneficiaries and to collect information for facilitation of post-distribution monitoring activities. The specific objectives of this end-of-project survey were as follows: Assessment of satisfaction level of program beneficiaries with regard to the overall intervention. Collection of information for facilitation and implementation of post-distribution monitoring & evaluation. Two teams of 4 members each were constituted to carry out the survey. Team members consisted of staff of ASF as well as Mojaz Foundation. Out of total beneficiary HHs of 9000, 400 HHs, representing all the supported villages, were selected for the survey. The survey was completed in 11 days (28 th December, 2010 to 7 th January, 2011). A customized survey questionnaire was designed to collect information from beneficiaries. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: first part contained questions regarding utilization of seeds and tools, and overall impact on beneficiary HHs; second part contained questions regarding overall satisfaction of beneficiaries regarding the intervention. The data collected was analyzed using spread sheet (MS Excel). A comprehensive report entitled Report on Beneficiary Satisfaction Assessment & Post-Distribution Monitoring was prepared to record the findings of survey. A summary of findings of survey is as follows: 99% of the surveyed beneficiaries sowed the seed provided under the project. 99% of the beneficiaries who sowed the seed rated the germination as satisfactory. 97% of the surveyed beneficiaries stated that they would use the wheat crop for their household food; whereas Figure 9 - A woman beneficiary providing details of utilization of seeds and tools during survey Figure 10 - A beneficiary farmer on crutches providing details during post-distribution survey 9
the remaining 3% beneficiaries stated that they would sell the crop to earn revenue to meet their domestic needs. Response of the surveyed beneficiaries showed that 20% of the beneficiaries considered that the wheat crop of the provided seed would provide 1-6 months of food self-sufficiency to their HHs; 78% of the beneficiaries considered the crop good enough to provide 7-12 months of foodself-sufficiency to their HHs; and 2% of the beneficiaries considered that the crop would provide more than 12 months of food self-sufficiency to their HHs. Average food self-sufficiency, calculated in terms of number of months of food-self sufficiency, for the surveyed beneficiaries is calculated as 9.15 months of food self-sufficiency per HH. 10% of the surveyed beneficiaries stated that they had also received free seeds / tools from other donors. 20% of the beneficiaries stated that they didn t use any other inputs (fertilizers, pesticides etc.) while sowing the crop; 78% of the beneficiaries mentioned that they used other inputs from their own sources; 2% of the beneficiaries stated that they used other inputs which were provided to them by other donors. 97% of the surveyed beneficiaries stated that they were satisfied with the quantity of seeds & tools provided under the program, whereas 98% of the beneficiaries stated that they were satisfied with the quality of seeds & tools. 98% of the surveyed beneficiaries stated that they received the seeds and tools well before the wheat sowing season and they had sufficient time to sow the wheat crop. 99% of the surveyed beneficiaries mentioned that behavior of project field staff was appropriate and they were treated in a dignified manner. Same percentage (99%) of the beneficiaries felt that the selected beneficiaries were deserving HHs. 99% of the surveyed beneficiaries stated that an appropriate procedure for registration of complaints was in place in case they had any problems during the distribution. 3% of the beneficiaries mentioned that they submitted complaints during the distribution process. Of these 8% beneficiaries submitted complaints to the village committees and 92% beneficiaries submitted their complaints to ASF / Mojaz teams. All of the beneficiaries (100%) confirmed that their complaints were timely addressed to their satisfaction. 99% of the surveyed beneficiaries stated the project implementation and results were up to their expectations. 99% of the surveyed beneficiaries ranked their overall satisfaction level on the intervention in satisfaction level range 4-5, while 1% of the beneficiaries ranked the project in 2-4 range. The beneficiaries were asked to rank the project from lowest (1) to maximum (5) satisfaction levels. 10
7. Case Study-1 Introduction & Problem Statement: The 55 years old Zarina Begum is widow of Faiz-Ullah and is resident of village Wavn Patafi of Union Council Baseera, District Muzaffargarh. Since the death of her husband, she alone has been looking after her family consisting of 5 children and herself. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for her household. She owns a piece of agricultural land of 4 acres which she looks after herself. The entire standing Kharif crop (Cotton & fodder crop) of Zarina Begum was destroyed due to massive floods in District Muzaffargarh in 2010 monsoon season. To worsen matters, her house was also damaged due to the flood. Figure 11 - Zarina Begum looking at her newly sown wheat crop After 3-4 months time, the flood water slowly started to recede and, like many other farmers, Zarina, after returning to her place, was grieved to see her crops, completely destroyed. With damaged house, 5 kids to look after, and no resources to cultivate Wheat for the Rabi season, Zarina stood helpless and vulnerable, waiting for some sort of help from the divine. Intervention: ASF and Mojaz Foundation initiated an assessment in the area to identify beneficiaries under Concern Worldwide funded project entitled Livelihood Initiative for Flood-Affectees Empowerment (LIFE). During the assessment survey Zarina Begum was identified and registered for support under the project. Zarina was provided a 50-kg bag of Wheat seeds and a set of agricultural hand tools (Spade, Hand Hoe and Sickle) enabling her to cultivate Wheat for the Rabi season. Result: Zarina has sown the wheat crop and is happy to see the results. She is assisted by her sons in field. The entire family is happy as they believe that the support has not only helped them to revive their agricultural livelihood, but they have also attained food self-sufficiency for a period of 12 months. 11
8. Case Study-2 Introduction & Problem Statement: The 31 year old Muhammad Afzal, a graduate and father of 6 kids, used to work for a multinational petroleum products marketing company in Muzaffargarh. Two years ago, he lost the use of one leg in an accident while on official duty. He couldn t continue his job, which required frequent traveling, after the tragedy and had to rely on his 3 acre land to earn livelihood for his family. Unfortunately, all the standing crop of cotton sown by Afzal was destroyed due to massive floods in District Muzaffargarh in 2010 monsoon season. After suffering huge financial loss due to damage to entire standing crop and with no backup resources available to cultivate wheat for the next season, Figure 12 - Muhammad Afzal standing in his wheat field cultivated at Aliwala, Union Council Baseera, Muzaffargarh Afzal became a patient of high depression, as the only source of livelihood for his family had been destroyed and he could do nothing but see his destroyed crops with dejection. Intervention: ASF and Mojaz Foundation initiated an assessment in the area to identify beneficiaries under Concern Worldwide funded project entitled Livelihood Initiative for Flood-Affectees Empowerment (LIFE). During the assessment survey Afzal was identified and registered for support under the project. Afzal was provided a 50-kg bag of Wheat seeds and a set of agricultural hand tools (Spade, Hand Hoe and Sickle) enabling him to cultivate Wheat for the Rabi season. Result: Afzal worked extremely hard in sowing the wheat crop with the inputs provided under the project. As a result, he was awarded with an excellent wheat crop which, he proudly mentions to his village fellows, was possible only due to the LIFE project support. He states that now he is not worried about food security of his family, for at least a year. In a pleasant mood, he also mentions that he is no longer a depression patient and has once again started enjoying every day of his life. 12
9. Case Study-3 Introduction & Problem Statement: Ghulam Sakina, a 60 years old widow, is resident of village Hyder Dasti of Union Council Baseera of District Muzaffargarh. She is the mother of 2 sons and 2 daughters, and, unfortunately, all the 4 children of Sakina are affected with Polio disease. Agriculture is the major source of livelihood for Sakina s household. Sakina, the only contributor towards the household income, owns a piece of land of 1 acre which she uses for cultivation of cotton and wheat, every year. The entire standing Kharif crop of cotton sown by Ghulam Sakina was destroyed due to massive floods in District Muzaffargarh in 2010 monsoon season. Figure 13 Sakina proudly standing in her newly sown wheat field Loss of entire standing cotton crop was a complete disaster for Sakina who was extremely worried about the food security for her children. With no surplus cash in hand, she was left with nothing but a field of destroyed crop and with threat & fear of starvation. Intervention: ASF and Mojaz Foundation initiated an assessment in the area to identify beneficiaries under Concern Worldwide funded project entitled Livelihood Initiative for Flood-Affectees Empowerment (LIFE). During the assessment survey Sakina Begum was identified and registered for support under the Figure 14 - Sakina spending time with her polio-affected children project. Sakina was provided a 50-kg bag of Wheat seeds and a set of agricultural hand tools (Spade, Hand Hoe and Sickle) enabling her to cultivate wheat for the Rabi season. Result: Sakina is extremely happy to see the wheat crop growing in her land. Feeling of happiness and satisfaction on the face of the mother keeps the children motivated to fight the Polio disease. The Entire family is happy with revival of livelihood activity, which promises them food security of 1 year. 13
10. Case Study-4 Introduction & Problem Statement: The 55 years old Ameera Mai is resident of village Hyder Dasti of Union Council Baseera of District Muzaffargarh. She has 5 kids. Ameera and her husband are both suffering from Tuberculosis (TB). Her husband is confined to bed due to severity of disease. As a result, Ameera, who herself is also a patient of TB, had to take the challenge of earning livelihood for her household. They own an agricultural land of 2 acres which Ameera, due to illness of her husband, has been managing to cultivate cotton, wheat and fodder. The entire standing Kharif crop (cotton & fodder) of Ameera was destroyed due to massive floods in District Muzaffargarh in 2010 monsoon season. Figure 15 - Ameera Mai happily standing in her newly sown wheat field Looking at the damaged crop in field, it was not easy for Ameera to go back and inform her bedridden husband that they had lost their entire crop standing in field. While the couple had been fighting TB disease for last many years, the total loss of their cash crop due to flood made them feel extremely miserable. They didn t have any surplus funds to sow wheat crop for the Rabi season. Intervention: ASF and Mojaz Foundation initiated an assessment in the area to identify beneficiaries under Concern Worldwide funded project entitled Livelihood Initiative for Flood-Affectees Empowerment (LIFE). During the assessment survey Ameera was identified and registered for support under the project. Zarina was provided a 50-kg bag of Wheat seeds and a set of agricultural hand tools (Spade, Hand Hoe and Sickle) enabling her to cultivate Wheat for the Rabi season. Result: Ameera sowed wheat crop with the help of her children. She is extremely satisfied with the yield and very happily shares with her husband the status of crop on daily basis. The entire family of Ameera Mai is happy as they believe that the support has not only helped them to revive their agricultural livelihood, but they have also attained food self-sufficiency for a period of 1 year. 14