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Pastoralist Areas Resilience Improvement through Market Expansion (PRIME) Project
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development
7th Quarterly Report
Year 2 – Quarter 3
Reporting Period: April 1 through June 30, 2014
Submitted to:
AOR: Mohamed Abdinoor, USAID/Ethiopia
Country Contact HQ contact Program Summary
Karri Goeldner Byrne
Chief of Party
Box 14319
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Phone:+251-(11) 416-9337
Fax: +251-(11)416-9571
Nate Oetting
Senior Program Officer
Mercy Corps
45 SW Ankeny
Portland, Oregon 97204
503.896.5000
Award No: AID-663-A-12-00014
Start Date: October 15, 2012
End Date: October 14, 2017
Total Award: $52,972,799
Report Date: July 31, 2014
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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PRIME is a five-year, USAID-funded initiative designed to support resilience among pastoralist
communities in Ethiopia, and thus enhance prospects for long-term development in Ethiopia‘s dryland
landscape where the pastoralist livelihood system prevails. Financed through Feed the Future (FTF) and
Global Climate Change (GCC) facilities, PRIME is designed to be transformative, innovative and achieve
scale through market-driven approaches to livestock production and livelihood diversification that
simultaneously support dryland communities to adapt to a changing climate. In order to achieve its overall
goal of Increasing Household Incomes and Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change through Market
Linkages, the program works to meet the following five major objectives (intermediate results):
1) Improved productivity and competitiveness of livestock and livestock products;
2) Enhanced pastoralists‘ adaptation to climate change;
3) Strengthened alternative livelihoods for households transitioning out of pastoralism;
4) Ensure enhanced innovation, learning and knowledge management; and
5) Improved nutritional status of targeted households improved through targeted, sustained and evidence-
based interventions.
This report summarizes the key activities implemented, and the associated accomplishments for PRIME
over the period of April 1 to June 30, 2014, which is the seventh quarter (third quarter, second year) of
program implementation. The following is a brief summary of the key highlights and achievements by the
project‘s objectives:
1. Improved productivity and competitiveness of livestock and livestock products:
As part of IR1‘s work to increase productivity in livestock market systems, several business expansion
grant recipients have been identified through competitive processes. Milk collector businesses (Southern
cluster), Private Vet Pharmacies (Eastern and Southern clusters), milk aggregators (Southern cluster), local
traders (Southern cluster) and milk collection centers (Eastern cluster) have all been selected for these
grants and during Q8 will implement their expansions.
The livestock productivity team also supported the African Livestock Exhibition and conference, where
385 delegates attended to discuss livestock production and marketing topics in Ethiopia. During the zonal
livestock fair in Afar cluster, 24 exhibitors participated and sold over 85000 ETB of solar products,
agricultural inputs (seed), feed, and storage bags.
The IR1 team also organized, along with government agencies, a workshop on the livestock diesease
surveillance and reporting system, while also working with LCRDB in 3 woredas of Eastern cluster in a
parasite control campaign for small ruminants. In addition, the IBLI products designed with Oromiya
Insurance Company have increased in sales to 403 policies with premiums of over 200,000 ETB and 2.4
million ETB ($122,256) of insured assets. PRIME has used cooperatives as intermediaries to offer these
products.
The National Livestock Market Information System (NLMIS) will be implemented and run by the federal
MoT and respective regional agricultural marketing agencies and bureaus with relevant technical and
financial support from Mercy Corps under USAID-PRIME Project, Texas A&M University, USAID-LMD
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and FAO. The Ministry of Trade, PRIME and LMD have signed the memorandum of understanding
(MOU) outlining each collaborator‘s responsibility. The main activities as mentioned in the MoU will
commence in the coming quarter.
2. Natural resource management and climate change adaptation:
To improve science and information for decision-making, CARE signed a MoU with the National
Meteorological Agency to support and upgrade agency‘s equipment and data collection methods in
pastoralist areas. Moreover, CARE and Haramaya University designed a user-based survey to examine
perception of current meteorological services and their information needs – results for which will be shared
during Q8. Meanwhile, eight additional dialogues with communities to raise awareness of forecasting tools
and their use in decision making took place in the 3 clusters with participation from traditional weather
forecasters, clan leaders, youth and women representatives, as well as meteorologists and government
representatives. Based on field verification exercises, a final version of seven rangeland system maps in
Borena and Guji have been released during the quarter, and will be used by other USG-funded projects
working on land tenure.
PRIME continued its partnership with the USFS to support remote sensing analysis of PRIME rangeland
systems. A four-member USFS team visited Ethiopia to present the results of their land use/land cover
analysis in four pilot PRIME areas, demonstrating the expansion of farmlands on or next to grasslands.
To increase capacity for effective governance for climate resilience, PRIME continued its partnership with
LAND project, supporting the formation of the Zonal Oromiya Pastoral Advisory Committee, and
providing inputs to LAND‘s impact evaluation. PRIME has also establihed a partnership with the Pastoral
Directorate of the State Ministry of Livestock to coordinate a learning and harmonization platform for
natural resource management in pastoral areas, providing a space for development practictioners and
researchers to share best practices and take collective action. The first meeting of the platform took place
during this quarter around the theme of Prosopis juliflora, and as a result, the State Ministry put forth a
statement to incorporate the recommendations from the platform members into forthcoming national
strategies the Minister is spearheading. Along the same topic, a workshop took place for high-ranking
government officials in Awash Arba where PRIME provided technical and financial support, to take the
recommendations from the rangeland management platform as well as field visits where prosopis removal
with PRIME support is taking place. PRIME also conducted a series of map validation exercises involving
digitized versions of community maps, across the three clusters to better delineate resource management
responsibilities, and evaluate the role of traditional leaders to do these effectively.
PRIME supported the multi-stakeholder Regional Seasonal Assessment to track and monitor early warning
indicators and performance of the Sugum rain in Afar region. Disaster Risk Management dialogues were
also conducted in Babile Somali in two rangeland systems.
Participatory Scenario planning workshops took place in Babile, Amibara and Awash (female PSP) and
monitoring of the PSP methodology is ongoing. PRIME has also adopted the social action and analysis
approach to address behavioral and socio-institutional barriers to climate change adaptation among pastoral
households.
To enhance water access through water point rehabilitation and development, PRIME is working to
expand the Haro Bake (SC) dam to hold 1.6 million m3, as well as preserve its funtionality for another 20
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years, build the Birkile Pond, Mullu, EC (capacity of 7,000 m3), and the Fatuma Delaytu pond in Afar
(cpacity of 7,000 m3).
3. Strengthened alternative livelihoods for households transitioning out of pastoralism:
During the quarter, PRIME continued to provide technical and financial assistance to the Somali MFI to
rollout a Sharia-compliant loan product for livestock traders in the region. SMFI has to date disbursed
5,000,000 ETB ($250,000) for 25 large and medium sized livestock traders in the region. The injection of
this loan in the livestock market will enable traders to buy and export from 18,000-20,000 livestock from
approximately 7500 households. The increased income from these sales is approximately 2500ETB ($128)
per household.
PRIME and Amasis signed a FOG agreement in June 2014 for the Hellojobs/‗(Hellosira)‘ service. The
software adjustment has been completed, and the service has been launched in all areas of PRIME (and
nationally). This mobile-based service registers job seekers via phone and internet, in order to match job
seekers with open positions. Employers get free access to the data on potential employees; job seekers pay
approximately 10ETB to register with the service.
During the quarter, PRIME organized successful trade fairs in Afar Zone 3 and Borena zone. PRIME
partners CARE, AISDA, SOS and Mercy Corps IR1, IR3, IR4 and IR5 teams supported the organizing of
the trade fair for two days in each zone. During the trade fair, PRIME introduced discount vouchers were
introduced to encourage the purchase of inputs, and stimulate demand for new technologies and agricultural
inputs. The trade fair also helped agricultural input dealers and micro-solar suppliers to conduct market
research on their products.
During the quarter, PRIME commissioned a labor market assessment conducted in all clusters. The
objective of the labor market assessment (LMA) is to uncover the skills in demand by the job market as
well as the constraints and challenges that individuals (specifically individuals transitioning out of
pastoralism) face as they look for sustainable work.
During the quarter, in Southern cluster Private Service Providers began forming VSLAs and the first 12
new VSLAs composed of 220 (135 female and 85 male) members were established.
4. Ensure enhanced innovation, learning and knowledge management:
The main activities during this quarter under IR4 implementation included the finalization of customization
of the Management Information System (MIS), which will allow all implementing partners to enter activity
concept notes and reports, document said activities and get approvals/feedback from management in one
portal. Metrics from reports will be then used to automatically generate indicator reports.
Following the monitoring and evaluation plan, a spot check methodology was tested and recommendations
shared with the IR4 leadership and COP. The methodology has now been revised and is ready for full
implementation during Q8. Data quality assurance (internal) will commence during Q8, along with DQA
for recipients outside the scope of the spot check.
Several pieces of research have been started, such as milk quality, existing insurance products, and cross-
border trade policy during this quarter. The policy information gap analysis was finalized, and the
consultative discussion with research institution on their capacity and how PRIME can work with them in
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on the stage of analysis. With matching funds from IIN, PRIME is testing the SenseMaker application to
monitor attitude and behavior change on nutrition practices in the three clusters.
In terms of coordination with USAID projects in Ethiopia, PRIME has been working closely with LMD in
policy issues, especially on concerns with the livestock proclamation. A set of recommendations were
drafted jointly by LMD and PRIME for the New Alliance and sent to USAID. In addition, PRIME is
working with AKLDP on future collaboration to organize platforms where learning from PRIME can be
shared with different stakeholders both in Addis Ababa and at the regional level.
5. Improved nutritional status of targeted households improved through targeted, sustained and evidence-
based interventions:
In an effort to improve nutrition counseling at health facility level and establish community counseling
support, PRIME trained a total of 115 health extension workers on essential nutrition actions (ENA).
Following the ENA TOT trainings, the trainings were further cascaded to the kebeles through the trained
health extension workers reaching an additional 1,250 community members. Moreover, to enhance
mothers‘ counseling support at the community level, PRIME organized women-to-women peer-guided
nutrition counseling groups, a platform for pregnant and lactating women to discuss and support each other
on nutrition-related issues. The sessions are led by experience mothers who share tips/knowledge on
pregnancy and childcare.
In furthering PRIME‘s nutrition key result to improve knowledge of nutrition-supporting practices through
expanded communication and accessible counseling and implement behavior change communication that is
compelling to the target audience, Mercy Corps and Warner Bros. further developed the Soap Opera for
Social Change (SOSC) partnership. In this quarter, six (6) Mercy Corps staff (3 from Ethiopia, 3 from HQ)
made a trip to Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, CA in April. The objective of the trip was to build the skills
of Mercy Corps Ethiopia social marketing staff and local creative talent in the use of compelling marketing
tools (tactics, creative stories and ideas) and entertainment to enhance the competiveness of healthful
versus unhealthful behaviors.
As a follow-up to the LA trip, four Warner Bros. volunteers—with engagement from key stakeholders
throughout the studio and its community—traveled to Ethiopia to work with local writers and creative staff
to develop the storylines for the radio show and ensure that the behavior change messages are incorporated
into the social marketing materials. This mentoring and support is being provided pro bono by Warner
Bros.; developing the skills of Mercy Corps local staff and local creative talent to tell more compelling
stories; and develop characters that target groups want to talk about, emulate, and further supporting the
positive behavior changes that PRIME seeks to bring about in communities. The specific targeted behavior
changes are: use animal feed/fodder, use preventative animal health services, ensure pregnant women eat
well, eat a diverse diet, and women should have greater decision-making power in the home.
Additionally during the quarter, PRIME used a mix of other innovative methods to send behavior change
messages, including: theater performance, a camel caravan, and a nutrition trade fair to reach and engage
audiences. Through the above activities, PRIME nutrition, was able to reach a total of 29,665 beneficiaries.
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6. USAID Forward
PRIME carried out organizational and capacity-building support initiatives for Aged and Children
Pastoralist Association (ACPA) in Jijiga and for the Afar Integrated and Sustainable Development
Association (AISDA) in Afar as part of the USAID Forward objectives. The two partners have developed
their action plans, and submitted them to MC and CARE. Their action plans were reviewed and feedback
has been provided, with a common understanding reached for the next phase of the implementation
process. Capacity-building activities and presentation to PRIME senior management will be carried out
during the next quarter. Rating results for the two partners in the key area of Financial Management can be
found in Annex 4 at the back of this report.
II. RESULTS SUMMARY TABLE
FTF Summary Table-Q7 (April-June 2014)
Indicator Disaggregation
Cum.
FY2014
Target
(Q1-Q8)
Year 2
Progress
(Q5-Q7)
Progress to
date (Q1-
Q7)
CROSS CUTTING INDICATORS
Number of HH reached (custom) Total 75,000 46,741 64,381
4.5.2(7): Number of individuals who
have received USG supported short-term
agricultural sector productivity or food
security training
Total 18,640 14,715 27,594
4.5.2(11): Number of food security
private enterprises (for profit),
producers organizations, water users
associations, women's groups, trade and business associations, and community-
based organizations (CBOs) receiving
USG assistance (R
Total 500 450 546
4.5.2(5): Number of farmers and others
who have applied new technologies or
management practices
Total 10,988 7,090 9,027
4.5.1(24): Numbers of
Policies/Regulations/Administrative
Procedures in each of the following
stages of development
Total 2 2 3
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT and CLIMATE CHANGE INDICATORS (IR2)
4.5.2(2): Number of hectares under
improved technologies or management practices
Total 1,009,380 4,282,676 4,337,972
4.5.2(34): Number of stakeholders implementing risk-reducing practices/
actions to improve resilience to climate
change
Total 16,820 5,946 21,133
4.8.2-26 Number of stakeholders with
increased capacity to adapt to the
impacts of climate variability and
change
Total 20,000 13,857 21,264
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4.8.1-29 Number of person hours of
training in natural resources
management and/or biodiversity
conservation
Total 55,000 81,263 99,993
ECONOMIC INDICATORS (IR1 & IR3)
4.5.2(23): Value of incremental sales
(collected at farm-level) attributed to
FTF implementation1
Value of
incremental sales
(three regions)2
Afar value of
incremental sales
Somali value of
incremental sales
1,356,711
133,727
575,611
N/A
199,410
1,285,113
N/A
199,410
1,285,113
Total reporting year sales (all regions)
Afar reporting
year sales
Somali total
reporting year
sales
4,858,069
478,815
2,060,856
N/A
544,498
2,773,111
N/A
544,498
2,773,111
Total Volume of
sales (mt)
Afar
Somali
2,858
282
1,212
N/A
320
1,631
N/A
320
1,631
Total Number of
direct beneficiaries
Afar
Somali
15,000 (all regions)
737
5,885
4.7.1-12: Total number of clients
benefiting from financial services
provided through USG-assisted financial
intermediaries, including non-financial
institutions or actors3
Total 16,880 2,538 2,538
4.5(2): Number of jobs attributed to FTF
implementation
Created 1,022 355 355
Obtained 0 0
1 Only Afar and Somali region data has been processed. Oromiya data shows values that are too high and will need to be reviewed to ensure there are no issues with data. It is important to note that the target values are for Y2 only (i.e. not necessarily cumulative) 2 Baseline value of sales per region: Afar 345,088; Oromiya 1,671,025; Somali 1,485,245 3 Target for this indicator was set based on the assumption that when mobile banking kicks off in 2014 the number of clients benefited would be 16880. The progress on this indicator seems to be slow due to SMFI-Belcash mobile banking project awaiting approval from the National Bank of Ethiopia, which has only recently taken place. The source of of clients for Y2 includes PRIME’s work in eexpanding RuSACCOs and VSLAs in order to improve households’ access to financial services while waiting for the mobile banking to start.
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4.5.2(38): Value of new private sector
investment in the agriculture sector or food chain leveraged
Total (USD) 10,000,000 6,721,845 15,291,975
NUTRITION INDICATORS (IR5)
3.1.9(1): Number of people trained in
child health and nutrition through USG-
supported programs (S)
Total 3,000 3,057 3,207
3.1.9(15): Number of children under five
reached by USG-supported nutrition
programs (S)4
Total 20,000 42,749 42,899
III. CORRELATION TO THE MONITORING PLAN
Data for most output and some outcome indicators has been gathered, as established in the monitoring and
evaluation plan, through sub-activity reports filed by technical teams in the field. A tool and protocol for
rapid survey for the value of incremental sales was developed and data was collected in June/July 2014.
Only data for Afar was able to be processed and analyzed in time for this report.
Spot check methodology for consortium partners was tested and results show that DQAs will be important
tools to use on a regular basis to evaluate the quality of data and correct errors made at the time of
reporting. Spot checks will continue every quarter and a DQA methodology for recipients (institutions,
private enterprises, etc.) of USAID-PRIME support will be developed during Q8.
Finally, an annual survey methodology will be developed and conducted during Q8 to inform custom
indicators as well as specific FTF indicators that require annual data at the household level.
1V. RESULT BY RESULT ANALYSIS
INTERMEDIATE RESULT 1: IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF LIVESTOCK AND
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
During Q7, the Economic and Market Development team involved in implementing activities leading to
achievement of IR1 (Improved Productivity and Competitiveness of Livestock and Livestock Products)
followed up on several activities in all clusters that are in the core of the facilitative market systems
development in the animal health services and products, livestock trade and dairy value chains.
Several activities contributing to Key result 1.3: Enabling environment improved and Key result 1.4:
Effective emergency response protects pastoralists‘ assets were implemented including activities that
improve the governmental agencies‘ capacity to support pro poor value chain development and help the
main impact beneficiary base (pastoral and agro pastoral households) to protect the value and intgrity of
their main asset – livestock.
4 Number under children under 5 reached – the figure has been revised to include information from the baseline about the calculation of average number of children under 5 per household. Previously our calculation was too high at 2, whereas the baseline figures demonstrate a number closer to 1. As such the progress to date has changed to 42,899.
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Key result 1.1: Productivity in key livestock market systems increased
Refresher Training for Existing Active CAHWs in Fafan, Jarar and Siti Zones of ESRS
During the Quarter PRIME conducted this training
to build up the technical, cost recovery and
financial management skills and knowledge of the
active CAHWs in the target region. The event
provided an opportunity for the CAHWs to share
their experience, which enables them to address
prevalent diseases and preserve the main
community productive asset: livestock. While it
was planned to offer the training to 100 CAHWs in
10 districts and from three zones, a total of 114 (14
female) CAHWs ultimately received the refresher
training. Three private vet input providers in the
respective districts were also involved in the
training on cost recovery and business management
sessions. The refresher trainings were facilitated by
eight district Animal Health Assistants (AHAs), who were earlier trained by Mercy Corps - PRIME and
qualified as CAHWs trainers. It is anticipated that the refresher trainings will improve the quality of the
veterinarian service for 11,434 individuals involved in livestock production (8,584 male and 2,850 female).
The training providers used participatory learning
techniques centered on all-important points and
training components, discussions and question and
answer sessions. During all five training days, drugs
or/and equipment were displayed in the training
venue by the trainers and PVPs as training
components for demonstration and practices. No
major challenges were encountered during
implementation. Both government officials and
employees, as well as CAHWs are willing to
participate in the cost-share-based training. The
involvement of governmental AH officers and
private veterinarian drug suppliers in the training
has the advantages of the parties getting to know
each other and to feel ownership during supervision
and establishing good veterinarian products supply chains. It was noticed that a number of CAHWs are
considering primary service delivery as a means of income and livelihood diversification for them.
Assessment and Mapping of Livestock Market Centers in Eastern Cluster
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In collaboration between PRIME partners Mercy
Corps and ACPA and the ESRS Livestock Crop and
Rural Development Bureau a thorough
assessment of the livestock markets in the Fafan,
Siti, Jarar and Babile Oromiya zones and woredas
was conducted. Teams visited 42 livestock markets
and identified and assessed for current state,
physical infrastructure and operation.
Prioritizing development needs was also
conducted. In addition, the assessment was not only
confined to market centers in woreda center
towns but also included bush markets where
large numbers of livestock are traded. The GPS
location, terminal, secondary, primary and bush livestock market center details are summarized in Annex 1.
Different market centers are in varying states of repair. While some markets need upgrading to improve
their functionality, some need to be built from scratch since they basically have no infrastructure and
function as bush markets. Annex 2 summarizes the observed needs for rehabilitation, upgrading or/and
construction.
This activity yielded a detailed report for the state of all assessed markets, their relevance for the livestock
trade and livelihoods of the population that uses them. Construction and establishment of livestock market
centers is important for all stakeholders involved in the livestock trade. Some of the findings of the
assessment include:
The markets that were improved /
constructed in the past are not
maintained since no management
structure is established and no
maintenance and rehabilitation
budgets were allotted.
While some of the markets have been
constructed in a modern way, trade
continues on their outskirts with no single
animal being brought in. Both sellers and
buyers tend to not use the facilities
because tax is collected for the trade if the
facility is used.
Poor road infrastructure to and from most
markets and lack of standardized
livestock transportation facility also hinder active linkages between producers and potential
livestock traders.
Lack of veterinarian services in market areas is evident. In some markets there are facilities
designated for veterinarian services, but none of them are functional.
Shortage of shade, water and feed inside the market centers also reduces the interest of the traders
and pastoralists to use the market facilities.
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Following this assessment a further prioritizing and development of activities aiming to improve markets
management and the general state of repair of the prioritized markets will be conducted by PRIME.
Expansion Grant for Private / Cooperative Milk Collectors in Guji, Borena and Liban
The objective of this sub-activity is to stimulate the establishment of strong dairy supply chain to facilitate
more and better milk in the Guji, Borena and Liben zones, improve access of pastoralists in remote
pastoralist areas to primary markets, and increase their income from milk sales. During Quarter 7, PRIME
developed and advertised the call for proposals, collected business expansion proposals from already
existing and interested local enterprises that collect and trade milk, established review committees and
conducted the review process, identified potential qualifying enterprises, conducted field verification, due
diligence, negotiated with prospective awardees, and developed FOGs for three milk collector businesses in
Liben and Yabello woredas of Guji and Borena Zones respectively. The total amount of PRIME support to
be awarded to these businesses for expansion is anticipated to amount to ETB 428,500 ($21,974) and the
total matching fund from the corresponding business will be ETB 986,000 ($50,564). It is anticipated that
this expansion of milk collection and handling capabilities of local milk collectors and traders will benefit
2,481 pastoral and agro pastoral households and that this activity will generate 12 new employment
opportunities. Signing of the FOGs and implementation start is planned for Quarter 8.
Business Expansion Grants to Private Veterinary Pharmacies in the Eastern Cluster
The processing for the release of grant for
competitive Private Veterinary Pharmacies
(PVPs) expansion is the first experience for
Mercy Corps Ethiopia managing small
facilitative business expansion grants. The
processes of managing PVPs expansion grants
have provided the project learning opportunities
for the technical and support team. Twelve
Private Veterinary Pharmacies were selected for
PRIME PVPs expansion competitive grants
from the four zones of the eastern cluster (four
in Fafan, four in Sitti, three in Jarar, and one in
East Hararge). The selected PVPs all fulfilled
the 70-30 percent cost sharing for business expansion criteria, based on call for proposal
advertisement. It is anticipated that this activity will result in investments valued at ETB 4.4 million
($150,000) out of which ETB 3.1 million ($105,000) from PVPs and ETB 1.3 million ($45,000)
from PRIME. The average PVP business expansion investment is ETB 366,000 ($18,769) out of
which on average ETB 256,000 will be invested by a single PVP and ETB 110,000 from PRIME for
each expansion. With these PVP business expansions in presently underserved areas of Fafan, Sitti
and Jarar it is anticipated that a total of 12,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral households will gain
access to affordable veterinary drugs. The overall sales of quality and certified veterinarian products
by recipient PVPs will increase by 10% and 24 new jobs will be created.
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PRIME organized an orientation workshop for
the awarded PVPs to increase their capacity to
implement FOGs and create a clear
understanding of the principles of
implementation, compliance and program and
financial reporting. The next step was to
negotiate individual grant agreements with the
selected applicants and produce individual
milestones and budgets for individual expansions.
As part of the overall investment in the PVP
expansion projects PRIME limits its financial
support to fixed assets procurement support at the
maximum level of 30% of the entire cost of the
expansion.
Finally and after successful completion of all steps of this competitive process, 12 Fixed Obligation
Grants were signed and implementation of the business expansion projects started during the last
quarter. The summary of the FOGs is presented in Annex 3.
The main challenge encountered during the implementation of this activity was the lack of clarity in
the received business proposals in terms of format and substance. This challenge was addressed by
offering technical assistance to the initially screened proponents which by itself increased their
business and financial management planning. Technical assistance was also offered to the
applicants to improve the soundness of their current business.
The transparent and widespread
advertisement of this PVP expansion support
opportunity enabled PRIME to create
relationships with a large number of
enterprises in this value chain that are offer
veterinarian products and services. The
composition of the screening and review
committee from different local governmental
institutions increased the quality of the
assessment and provided a multi-stakeholder
inclusion. The field verification of the
applications and the applicants increased the
transparency of the process and showed the
partners the impartial approach towards
assisting the appropriate applicants, and
simultaneously increased the commitment of the awardees. The involvement of government
representatives in the entire process enabled PRIME to share the facilitative development approach
in the pro-poor market systems development and familiarize the government representatives
participating in this activity with the PRIME achievements.
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The next steps in the implementation of this activity during Quarter 8 will be: (1) Technical
assistance to the awardees in implementing their individual expansion projects; (2) Facilitate
creation of business linkages for the PVPs with veterinarian products wholesalers and facilitate
linkage with the CAHWs and pastoralist households – the users; (3) Continuous training of the
recipient PVPs in business management, customer service and CAHW agent creation; (4) Business
coaching, follow up on PVP performance and record keeping.
Expansion Grant for Private / Cooperative Milk Aggregators in Liban Zone
The sub activity is intended to improve pastoral and agro-pastoralists access to sustainable and basic milk
marketing which will improve their livelihood through income earned from milk sales. The activity is
planned to be implemented in Filtu, Dolo and Hudet woredas of Liben zone. To effect the implementation,
the advertisement was translated into local languages (Afan Oromo and Somali) and posted where the
public can easily see it and additional communication was conducted with potential dairy sub-sector actors
to inform them of the opportunity and the application process. During the Quarter PRIME received one
application. It is anticipated that this activity will be conducted over Quarters 8 and 9.
Business Expansion Grants to Private Veterinary Pharmacies in the Southern Cluster
As described above, the objective of this activity is to enable pastoralists and agro-pastoralists to have
access to quality and affordable veterinary drugs through more effective and efficient supply chain
linkages, and ensure that access to these critical vet inputs is sustainable. During Quarters 6 and 7 PRIME
completed the administrative processes required, and during this quarter, 19 PVPs located in 7 woredas of
Borena and Liben zones were approved for FOGs. The total amount of support from PRIME is anticipated
to reach ETB 1,541,550 ($79,053) and the total matching fund from the recipient PVPs will be ETB
3,653,040 ($187,335). It is anticipated that these 19 PVP expansion projects will benefit 16,240 pastoralist
and agro pastoralist households. In addition it is anticipated that 25 full-time jobs will be created as a
direct result of these business expansions. Signing of the cost-shared grants with the recipients and
initiation of the expansions is planned for Quarter 8.
Competitive Cost-Shared Business Grants to Private Veterinary Clinics in the SC
This activity was initiated in Quarter 7. The objective of the activity is to improve pastoral and agro-
pastoralists‘ access to sustainable and basic clinical veterinarian services which are affordable through
more effective and efficient supply chain linkages. A thorough assessment of the demand and feasibility for
such private veterinarian clinics was conducted by the SC PRIME team over the past quarters and based on
the assessments, the activity is planned to be implemented in five woredas: Yabello and Dirre woredas of
Borena zone, Liben woreda of Guji zone and Hudet and Dolo Ado woredas of Liben zone. To effect the
implementation, calls for proposals from interested veterinarian services providers were translated into
local languages (Afan Oromo and Somali) and will be posted from 25th
to 30th July 2014 for 15 days.
PRIME anticipates that this activity will be completed in Quarters 8 and 9.
Establishment of Livestock Holding Grounds/Stockyards in Borena and Guji
The objective of this activity is to support establishment of more permanent facilities for improved
marketing of livestock from Borena and Guji, provide more intensive offtake of livestock and improve the
quality of the animals coming from the region and traded on the terminal market. The activity was initiated
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in Quarter 7 by encouraging local traders interested in improving their businesses to consider establishing
livestock holding grounds and apply for a cost shared expansion of their business. After receiving
applications, review and site verification five finalists (two in Somali Moyale and three in Yabello woreda
of Borena zone) were qualified. Negotiation is under way, and it is expected that the implementation of
these business expansions supported through fixed obligation grants will commence in August 2014.
Competitive Cost-Share Grants for Upgrading Milk Collection Centres
This activity facilitates upgrading of upgrading milk collection centers in the Eastern Cluster by providing
training, technical assistance and competitive cost-share grants to existing enterprises and cooperatives that
collect and trade milk. During Quarter 6, PRIME advertised the call for proposals, offering technical
assistance to interested proponents to develop their expansion business plans and applications. During
Quarter 7, the review committee comprising of members from Mercy Corps staff and ESRS Livestock,
Crop & Rural Development Bureau, screened and reviewed the proposals received from eight enterprises
and cooperatives, conducted field verification and negotiations with the selected awardees and signed the
milk collection expansion FOGs with two of the applicants. Hormud Milk Marketing Cooperative from
Gursum Woreda in Dhagahle Kebele and Barwako Milk Marketing Cooperative from Jijiga Woreda in
Duhusha Kebele were awarded support. Implementation of the individual upgrading projects started in
Quarter 7 and will be completed in Quarter 8.
During the implementation the awardee milk collection cooperatives reevaluated and studied the milk
collection equipment they had received from earlier development activities, but did not use. The
composition of the screening committee from different sectors and institutions added value to the selection
processes, transparency was high and competitors were highly satisfied with the process. The field
verification showed the partners how PRIME values the competitiveness of the applicants and increases
their commitment to the proposed upgrade.
In follow up and during the implementation of the proposed projects in Quarter 8, PRIME will offer
continuous technical assistance to the cooperatives through training, linkage activities with milk buyers,
and an exposure visit for the technical and management staff of the collection centers to Debrezeit. This
will help them increase their knowledge and capacity to run milk collection centers through observing the
operation of similar enterprises in an area that has a more developed milk production, collection and trade
value chain.
Competitive Grants for Establishment of Feed Lots in the Eastern Cluster
The overall objective of the sub activity is to support the introduction and establishment of standard feedlot
operations and practices in pastoral areas to increase the quality and the value of livestock traded. The
target recipients for this support are livestock traders from the Eastern Cluster who are interested in
investing to improve their trading operation by establishing feedlot operations that can also serve as
temporary holding grounds for livestock they trade in order to improve the overall condition and value of
the animals. The model of this support is through awarding cost-shared fixed obligation grants to applicants
meeting the established eligibility and selection criteria in a competitive process. During this Quarter the
eight applications received in Quarter 6 were reviewed, field verification was conducted and four
applications were moved through the second stage. It is expected that three applications will be awarded
during Quarter 8 when the establishment of these feedlots will also start.
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Key result 1.2: Market linkages improved
Facilitating Vertical and Horizontal Linkage among Livestock Producers, Feedlots, Traders and
Abattoirs in Afar
The objective of this activity was to improve the trade links within the livestock trade value chain relevant
for the livestock producers in Afar.
Five invitees attended the linkage event including Metahara International Export Abattoir, Abdu Live
Animal Exporter governmental representatives and smaller traders.
During the discussion and presentation of the demand, the Metahara International Export Abattoir
stipulated that they are interested in buying sheep and goats from lowland areas such as Afar,
Borena and Somalia region with standard live weight of 15 – 32 kg for the goats and above 20 kg
for sheep, their slaughtering capacity is 2,500 heads of small ruminants per week. Metahara
International Export Abattoir buys animals based on the live weight offering currently 31 to 35
ETB/kg. However their terms of trade include weighing of the animals purchased one day after the
animals have been delivered to their stock yard in order to reduce the digestive tract content which
in some cases is 2-3 kg reduction in the live weight for 24 hours. Another problem noted by
Metahara International Export Abattoir is that the pastoral producers are not keen on the weight-
based transactions the slaughterhouse practices, so they prefer going through brokers and traders. In
addition the slaughterhouse deals only with legally registered suppliers or brokers who are vat
registered.
The largest trader present on the linkage event, Abdu Live Animal Exporter, on the other hand
discussed that they trade all livestock species but the sheep prevail as the most demanded livestock
for export trade. Their trade network has a potential of supplying about 120,000 sheep per year of
which 20,000 heads in the peak demand before Arefa Islamic holiday. Currently they export about
72,000 heads of sheep per year due to inability to access additional finance and sharia compliant
loans. Their buyers are also interested in buying meat.
Touching on the experience in working with the domestic slaughterhouses (ELFORA, Mojo Export
Slaughterhouse), Abdu indicated that the transportation cost and other losses associated with those
transactions make them unprofitable, and the bureaucracy of the abattoirs is unbearable. They also
tried brokering deals between smaller collectors and ELFORA and Metahara International Export
Abattoir, but that also did not work due to the generally low price offered and the abattoirs terms of
trade.
The representative of the government cooperative development office discussed that multiple efforts were
conducted to create linkage between the cooperatives on one and the traders and abattoirs on the other side
of the chain. Majority of those efforts were not successful due to the following factors: (1) majority of the
cooperatives are not business-oriented and (2) cooperatives have problems in accessing finance to be able
to trade on a regular basis.
While no transaction deals could be executed during this event, it was observed during the discussions that
the weight-based purchase transactions of the abattoirs is one of the most important factors that prevents
trade relations. There is a large price gap since the live animal export traders currently offer about 36
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ETB/kg live weight for small ruminants (calculated average price based on per head transactions) and the
abattoirs offer 31 – 35 ETB/kg live weight (weighted after 24 hours starvation).
In follow up to this linkage event PRIME will continue to stimulate discussions and negotiations between
livestock traders and abattoirs. In addition the introduction of weight-based marketing through education
and efforts for some of the livestock traders to adopt as a practice when purchasing from their supply
networks will be supported. In order to address the need of the abattoirs to only work with VAT registered
suppliers, PRIME will support the traders and suppliers in establishing registered businesses. As one of the
main problems in stimulating the trade within the supply chain remains access to finance, PRIME will,
within its mandate, support increased access to business finance and especially access to sharia-based loans
for livestock trade.
Support to African Livestock Exhibition and Conference (ALC)
The African Livestock Congress was one of the activities organized during the 2014 African Livestock
Exhibition and Conference (ALEC 2014) that was conducted in Addis Ababa Millennium Hall in the
period 8-10 May, 2014, and was designed to provide a venue for presenting and discussing various issues
related to the development of livestock production and marketing in Ethiopia and regionally. The
Conference had 355 delegates registered. The topics of the Conference included: (1) Commercial Livestock
Farming; (2) Livestock Marketing; (3) Animal Feeding Systems; (4) Breeding and Overall Livestock
Management and (5) Animal Health and Standardization. PRIME financially and organizationally
supported the session on Commercial Livestock Farming where two papers were presented: (1) Livestock
Production for Food Security and Social Equity‖ by Dr. Edmealem Shitaye (Phd) from FAO and (2)
―Commercialization of Livestock Production: Challenges and Opportunities” by Desalegne G. Medhin
from Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute.
The conference gathered concerned professionals,
policy makers, government officials, researchers,
development projects officers, academic workers,
private business owners, and farmers to discuss
vital issues regarding livestock sector
development. Different issues were raised through
the presentations and discussions on how to
achieve market-oriented and intensive livestock
production and improve management and
livestock marketing strategies. The conference
helped the understanding that the future of
sustainable livestock development is in public-
private dialogue and experience sharing among
concerned stakeholders.
With USAID PRIME support, the Conference was organized by the National Steering Committee including
members from Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Foreign affairs,
Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute, Ethiopian Meat Producers-Exporters
Association and Prana Promotion.
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The African Livestock Exhibition and Conference is an annual event organized by Prana Promotion in
collaboration with various Ethiopian Government agencies. This year the number of exhibitions and
participants was 40% higher than last year. To maintain the trend of increase and the recognition of ALEC
as a relevant and important event both nationally and regionally the organizer will for next year increase the
entire event standard, attract more exhibitors and participants, international buyers, researchers and
businesses.
Support for Organizing a Livestock Show on the African Livestock Exhibition and Conference
One of the activities conducted during the
African Livestock Exhibition and
Conference was the Livestock Show, an
activity that showcased Ethiopian
livestock breeds. The activity resulted in
a display of camel, dairy and beef cattle,
sheep and goats from 19 different
highland and lowland breeds. The
importance of this activity was in the fact
that many of the international livestock
traders who participated in the Business
to Business event organized during
ALEC 2014 could become familiar with
the Ethiopian livestock breeds.
In order to conduct the livestock show event
during ALEC 2104, the organizer Prana Promotion with support from USAID PRIME and LMD projects
constructed holding pens and contracted breeders to bring selected animals to the show and took care of the
animals during their stay in the show.
Key results of this activity include: (1) Successful promotion of Ethiopian indigenous and improved
livestock breeds (camel, cattle, sheep and goat) to potential foreign buyers visiting ALEC 2014; (2)
Educational exposure of the local visitors of ALEC 2014.
Since this was the first time for the ALEC organizers to
include a livestock show as an activity during the three-
day event, valuable lessons were obtained for the future.
It was concluded that for the purpose of having a good
promotion of the Ethiopian livestock breeds for
international buyers, preparations need to start at least six
months in advance to secure extraordinary animals from
the showcased breeds, bring them to Addis Ababa and
prepare them for the exhibition at least one month prior
the event. More animals in more categories within the
breed: breeding male, young female, breeding female,
productive dairy female as well as finished fattened male
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animals are to be showcased for the visitors to have better exposure to the performance of the Ethiopian
livestock breeds. Potentially the Livestock Show can be turned in to a Competition Show that will increase
the interest of breeders to exhibit the best animals by providing an incentive in the form of prizes.
Zonal Livestock Fair in Afar Cluster
During the quarter and in collaboration with the local
government in Afar Zone 3, PRIME facilitated the
organizing of the first Agricultural Trade Fair in Awash
(Afar) from June 8 to June 9, 2014. The objective of the
activity was to improve market linkages among actors in
the livestock and dairy value chains, agricultural input
suppliers and retailers, pastorals and agro pastorals,
research institutes and other stakeholders. Twenty-four
exhibitors participated with stands. While the number of
exhibitors was lower than anticipated, this event organized
for the first time in Zone 3 of Afar managed to bring
together diverse participants. Local and large-scale
national feed suppliers, PVPs and veterinarian products
wholesalers, dairy and poultry input suppliers, local cooperatives and livestock traders exhibited and
showcased their products and services to close to 1,000 visitors, urban dwellers, farmers and pastoralists.
Despite organizational challenges due to the inexperience of the organizers, the event accomplished
important results to be used as stepping stones in the future implementation of development activities in the
Afar cluster. Stronger vertical and horizontal linkages were achieved among producer, local and regional
business, cooperatives, governmental institutions and the non-governmental sector in the region. The small
voucher scheme activities implemented during the fair enabled the pastoralists and agro pastoralists to
purchase promoted inputs such as solar products, animal feed, storage bags and agricultural inputs at a
discount. Over 113 pastoralists and agro pastoralists used this opportunity to purchase and familiarize with
some of the inputs new to them which resulted in sales of 85,978 ETB of solar products, agricultural inputs
(seed), feed, and storage bags.
Key result 1.3: Enabling environment improved
Livestock Disease Surveillance and Reporting System in Borena and Liban
This workshop activity was organized with the general objective to raise the awareness of both government
and private veterinarian professionals about the importance of Animal Health Surveillance and Reporting
as well as to identify main constraints the reporting system faces. The specific objectives of the workshop
were: (1) discuss the current status of livestock disease surveillance and reporting system in the cluster; (2)
investigate the constraints that limit the use of effective surveillance and reporting system; (3) discuss and
identify the appropriate methods and approaches to enhance effective surveillance and reporting system.
Only 19 animal health professionals from the public and private sectors participated due to the inability of
the participant from the Guji Zone to attend because of the recent conflict between Guji and Borena as the
workshop was held at Yabello town of the Borena Zone.
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The workshop was conducted in a series of separate sessions. Each session started with an introduction by
the session facilitator followed by presentations and discussions. The main items on the agenda were: (1)
Definition, Approach towards, Importance and Objectives of Animal Health Surveillance, led by Dr. Bula
Mengesha, Borena Zone PDO AH Team leader; (2) Current situation analysis on status of Animal Health
reporting system in each woreda; (3) Oral presentation by all participants of the workshop.
The overall discussion program was organized as stated below; (1) Importance of Animal Health
Surveillance for Livestock Marketing facilitated by Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim; (2) Current status of Animal
Health Surveillance in Somali, by Dr. Abdulahi; (3) Recommended methods and approaches to enhance
effective AH surveillance and reporting system.
The overall limiting factors identified and prioritized during the workshop as most important for
conducting effective local and national surveillance for animal diseases including zoonotic were as
presented in the table below.
Gaps/Constraints Action to be taken Action to be taken by Time
frame Poor linkage between concerned actors (FEU,
OPC, Regional
Laboratory, Zonal PDO, Woreda PDO, Private
sector, and Abattoirs
Establishing proper coordination and networking
mechanism to involve all
relevant actors by organizing Workshop and stakeholders
consultation
Federal EU, Zone, National laboratory,
NVI ,
4th week
of June
Lack of understanding by local and national
decision-makers and
stakeholders on the importance of surveillance
Awareness raising on the RS to PDO to properly allocate the
resource and mobilization of
existing resource in case of serious emergency and training
of professionals
Federal EU, Zonal PDO 4th week
of June
Lack of commitment Awareness raising and regular
follow up with field staff Federal EU, Zonal PDO Always
Insufficient funding for
surveillance Allocating appropriate funds
and developing mechanism for continuous funding
Federal Epidemiology First
week of July
Insufficient training in
surveillance
methodologies
TOT Training at Zonal level for
Districts level experts who then
train Animal Health workers in Animal Heath Posts at PA Level
Federal EU, Zone PDO,
Regional Lab /PRIME First
week of
July
Trained staff turnover Increasing the number expert
during TOT Training Federal EU, PRIME First
week of July
Lack of baseline data on
livestock population and
priority diseases to establish risk based
surveillance
Conducting basic assessment
and make use of existing data
that enables to establish risk based surveillance and reporting
system
Zone PDO,
Laboratory/PRIME 3
rd week
of July
Lack of capacity of
regional diagnostic laboratory
Training and technical capacity
building of diagnostic
Laboratory /PRIME
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laboratory (equipping /
provision of basic diagnostic
facilities)
Lack of capacity of
health posts Training and technical capacity
building of health posts ( provision of basic field
diagnostic facilities
GoE/PRIME
Lack of feedback for
information providers at field level
Establishing effective feedback
response mechanism Federal Epidemiology
Unit /PRIME
Other issues raised by the workshop participants include: (1) Current prescribed reporting format is
complicated and there is a language gap in understanding and filling the format. The participants
recommended translating the format to local language for ease of understanding; (2) The current reporting
format is in form of hard copy, manually filled and sent by post. Participants recommended using IT and
electronic sending by E-mail.
The recommendations from this workshop will be shared, refined and agreed upon by national experts and
decision makers. Recognizing this, the participants recommend similar workshop to be held at national
level that will involve higher decision makers and other relevant actors As a next step the participants will
try organizing a similar country level workshop to bring the findings about this grass root level problem
and recommended action to the agenda of decision makers and other actors in a bottom-up approach to
refine and jointly plan and share responsibility and mobilize the necessary resources.
Grant to Ministry of Trade to Develop National Livestock Market Information System
Over the past three quarters PRIME was involved in the development of an activity to support the further
development of the National Livestock Market Information System (NLMIS), a platform for collection and
dissemination of up to date information on livestock prices in the main markets in Ethiopia. The main
objective of the activity that is to be implemented by the Ministry of Trade and supported by PRIME, the
USAID-funded Livestock Markets Development Project (LMD) and FAO are to assist the Ministry of
Trade to develop and execute its strategy to improve and expand the NLMIS to reach out and make
available the information collected to all interested users (institutional and individual) in all regions within
Ethiopia as both a key market information access instrument, and a provider of critical information and
analyses for Horn of Africa‘s various early warning systems (EWS).
While all committed implementation parties have provided continuous interest in initiating the actions, the
activity has taken longer to start because the partners have tried to comply with individual processes
regarding the commitments and signing of MoUs with the Ministry of Trade. The MoU was finally signed
between the Ministry of Trade, LMD and PRIME and activities aligned in the MoU will commence during
Q8.
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Key result 1.4: Effective emergency response protects pastoralists’ assets
Index-Based Livestock Insurance Sales Channel Strengthening in Borena
The overall goal of this activity is to increase pastoralists‘ resilience to drought shocks by transferring the
risk to insurance companies through Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) type insurance instruments.
The activity is one year facilitative support of Oromiya Insurance Company (OIC) to increase sales of the
IBLI insurance product whereas PRIME supports cultivating insurance knowledge among Borena
pastoralists and facilitating access to them. During the fourth round, more IBLI policies have been sold
than during the past three sales windows. The sales summary indicates 403 policies with total premiums of
Birr 234,605 ($12,031) and total sum insured of Birr 2,384,000 ($1222,256). The involvement of PRIME
and use of cooperatives as intermediaries in this sales window have contributed much in selling more
policies.
Summary of IBLI sales per woreda in the February /March 2014 sales window:
S.N
Woreda
No of
Kebele
Policy
Sold Premium
Sum
Insured
No of Livestock
Cattle Camel Shoat
1 Dillo 6 36 27,564 320,400 47 0 48
2 Arero 7 48 20,715 272,400 37 0 63
3 Dire 10 67 11,874 141,600 10 0 102
4 Dhas 6 48 23,016 277,600 38 0 62
5 Taltele 1 9 9,122 118,400 18 0 13
6 Yaballo 6 53 23,670 352,800 48 0 81
7 Moyale 11 125 58,072 593,200 75 2 154
8 Miyo 3 15 29,662 302,800 38 5 31
9 D/Dawa 1 1 114 1,600 0 0 2
10 M/Soda 1 1 196 3,200 0 0 4
Total 52 403 204,005.00 2,384,000.00 311 7 560
The activity will continue through Quarter 8 of PRIME with training strengthening the OIC IBLI sales
network and awareness building towards the second IBLI sales window August/September 2014.
External Parasite Control Campaign for Small Ruminants in the Eastern Cluster
External parasites cause severe economic loss through overall reduction of productivity and resistance of
infested animals, reduction of milk production and reduced value and marketability of hides and skins due
to the physical damage that external parasites cause. External parasites and specifically ticks are often
carriers of other infectious diseases and may cause larger outbreaks that result in losses for the pastoral and
agro pastoral households and to the livestock industry in general. In order to increase the awareness of the
pastoral and agro pastoral households that raise livestock of the need to routinely both preventively and
curatively treat the livestock against external parasites of livestock industry, the LCRDB of Somali region
and the PRIME project carried out an external parasite control program in three woredas of Fafan zone of
the ESRS.
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The objectives of this activity were to increase the awareness of the pastoral households of the need for and
appropriate practices in preventive and curative treatment against external parasites, increase the resilience
of livestock to other risk factors such as drought that can be expected in the next quarter, and reduce
economic loss due to external parasites infestations.
The external parasite control campaign was carried out in
Awbare, Babile and Harshin districts of Fafan Zone. The
regional LCRDB in collaboration with Mercy Corps put up a
team of veterinarians to focus on reducing infestations with
ticks, lice, keds and mites in small ruminants. The preparations
included securing the necessary parasite control products and
application equipment by the LCRDB and extensive
communication of the campaign to the LCRDWs in Awbare,
Dadamane and Harshin. Coordination with the woreda level
animal health authorities included: (1) Community
mobilization and education; (2) Selection of sites for
conducting the external parasite treatment and educational
campaigns and (3) Mobilization of local animal health workers
to participate in both awareness building and educational campaign and the treatment campaign. The actual
treatment of the animals was conducted by spraying with 60% Diazinion (acaricide) using the best practices
in assuring application safety. The campaign assured that the benefiting owners of livestock clearly
understand the reasons for treatment, as well as best practices and the methodologies to be used when
performing this kind of treatment. The table below synthetizes the results of the activity in terms of animals
treated and households impacted with this activity.
Districts
Number of the Shoats Sub-total Benefiting Households
Sheep Goat Male Female Total
Awbare 50,052 36,448 86,500 ,854 618 2,471
Harshin 50,228 29,772 80,000 1,714 571 2,286
Babile 51,760 31,740 83,500 1,789 596 2,386
Total 152,040 97,960 250,000 5,357 1,786 7,143
IR1 Activities Implementation Challenges
One of the major challenges for implementing market systems development activities to improve the
resilience of beneficiary communities continues to be the lack of mid-level enterprises in each of the value
chains supported. The pastoralist and agro pastoralist areas lack the presence of various enterprises on both
livestock and agricultural input supplies (animal feed, veterinarian products and services, seeds, small scale
agricultural equipment) and enterprises that are engaged in value addition to the commodities produced by
the pastoral and agro pastoral households (milk, live animals). PRIME is working in promoting the
establishment and growth of such enterprises by implementing activities that stimulate local and national
investment in establishment or expansion of such businesses. This challenge is also linked with the overall
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challenging business environment in the pastoral regions of Ethiopia as well as the poor but gradually
improving infrastructure.
The need remains to continuously explain and educate the local government stakeholders in the PRIME
transformative approaches towards market systems development and represents a challenge that is handled
by consistent application of facilitative activities as opposed to direct service and product supply actions.
In several instances activities had to be postponed or canceled due to the security situation in the target
regions and the reluctance of the local authorities to allow the implementation due to lack of understanding
of the PRIME development approach.
IR1 Priorities in Quarter 8
One of the main factors for increasing the productivity of livestock in both milk and meat production, as
well as a key factor for securing resilience of the livestock industry in the pastoral areas is improved
nutrition of livestock. While the pastoral system of managing livestock relies little on supplemental feed
and fodder provision, advancement in productivity inevitably requires increased use of supplemental feed
and fodder in levels varying by the season, type and category and animals reared and the productivity
levels. Most of the limited amounts of supplemental feed and fodder used by pastoral households are
produced as by-products of other crops and not as feed and fodder crops designated for animal nutrition.
There are very limited resources to establish agricultural production in the pastoral areas and especially for
growing feed and fodder crops that require relatively large arable land and irrigation water availability. In
addition the external supply of animal feed and fodder is limited in the pastoral areas as the demand is
erratic and not well established for a viable supply chains to be established from the Ethiopian highlands or
import. In the coming period, PRIME will increase the development and implementation of activities
within work plan items: 131 Improved Availability and Quality of Animal Feed and 121 Improving
Dissemination of Market Information.
The IR1 team as part of the Economic and Market Development team of PRIME will in the upcoming
period strengthen internal reporting in timeliness and quality of activity reports and recording and reporting
impact, especially FtF and other PRIME PMP indicators. In addition, collaborative and synergetic activities
with the activities focused on achieving other PRIME resilience improvement objectives, will be developed
and implemented to maximize impact.
To better develop and implement facilitative market systems development activities PRIME IR1 team will
step up efforts to work more closely with private sector actors in the value chains supported. This is an
ongoing effort to achieve the sustainable growth of private operators in offering livestock and agricultural
inputs, services and products as well as market outlet for the commodities produced by pastoral and agro
pastoral communities.
INTERMEDIATE RESULT 2.0: NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION:
Key result 2.1: Improved Science and Information for Decision-making
Building the capacity of the National Meteorological Agency in enhancing climate risk management
through support to downscaled forecasts.
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CARE signed a MoU with the National Meteorological Agency for an 18 month workplan, to support the
agency in strengthening its forecasting methodology, and build the capacity of the Agency and its regional
bodies to provide timely, reliable, and user-friendly localized seasonal forecasts for pastoral areas. The
MoU and accompanying workplan include both institutional and technical strengthening, including
upgrading of the National Meteorological Agency's equipment and data collection methods in pastoral
areas. A technical assessment is expected to take place in the upcoming quarter.
The MoU and workplan follow a scientific validation of seasonal forecasts by the Ethiopian National
Meteorology Agency (NMA) in the previous quarter. The validation exercise consisted of comparing the
strengths and weaknesses of NMA's forecasting methodologies in light of other emerging approaches, and
comparing forecasts with observations since 1961. The objective of the exercise was to determine the
NMA's ability to provide seasonal climate predictions that could serve as a basis for livelihoods and
resource-related decision-making, as well as disaster preparedness in pastoral areas. A major finding was
that while National Metrological Agency's forecasts for Ethiopia were strong relative to global predictions,
they systematically failed to adequately predict below normal rainfall and therefore drought. The MoU
includes providing international support to the NMA to revise its methodology.
Research on user assessment of climate information needs and meteorological forecasts, to support
capacity of National Meteorological Station
CARE has worked jointly with Haramaya University to design a user-based survey that examines
individual and household perceptions of existing meteorological services, and identified their desired
products and services related to forecasting. The survey was implemented in this quarter by Haramaya
University in Afdem, Harshin, Mulu and Kebribeyah in the Eastern Cluster, Moyale and Dirre in the
Southern Cluster, and Awash Fentale, Amibara and Gewane in Afar, which were chosen as the sample
sites. The draft report was submitted by the University, and is being finalized based on feedback provided.
A brief discussion paper will be prepared for consultation with key stakeholders.
The objective of the study was to feed direclty into the partnership that PRIME has established with the
National Meteorological Agency and its regional directorates to improve its forecasting methodologies and
tailoring information products to local needs. Harmaya University's work provides a statistically significant
and broad-scale analysis, building on the qualitative analysis, that is needed to adequately capture the needs
of diverse households and users in the PRIME operational areas. The results will be fed back to the NMA,
and inform the agencies‘ workplan on downscaling forecasts to pastoral areas, as well as guide PRIME's
support to the agency. CARE is working with the NMA not only to increase the accuracy and skill scores
of NMA's climate forecasts, but also to ensure that information products and services meet user needs.
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Creating awareness towards improved accessibility and utilization of community and scientific
forecasting systems.
In its effort to increase access to weather and climate information on a local, seasonal basis, CARE
developed a dialogue methodolgy to raise awareness of local and scientific forecasting mechanisms, and
the use of forecasts in natural resource and livelihood related decision-making. A workshop was held, the
objective of which was to enhance understanding of local climate information systems and needs, connect
communities to their meteorological agency counterparts, and identify strengths and challenges of both
systems in uptake accuracy and relevance.
Following a total of 16 dialogues in the last quarter, eight more dialogues were implemented in key
remaining woredas, including in Babile Somali of Eastern Cluster, Awash Fentale and Duleassa of Afar
Cluster and Arer, Miyo, Moyale and Mubakar of Southern Cluster. Participants included traditional
weather forecastsers, clan leaders, youth and women representatives, meteorologists from zones and
government DPPB representatives.
A key outcome of all meetings was increased awareness of legitimate and non-legitimate information
sources, validating traditional sources of informaton, and preparing for the Participatory Scenario Planning
process that allows communities to use forecast information for decision-making.
East Cluster - Babile Somali
ACPA facilitated the EW dialogue in Babile, Somali. Participants included xidigis, or traditional
community weather forecasters, early warning information providers, and government EW Experts. A total
of 40 individuals attended the dialogues (34 male and 6 female).
Traditionally, pastoral communities in Babile Somali forecast weather and track information on water and
pasture through Xidigiyal institutions, using star-alignment and star-moon alignment to predict seasonal
rain performance. There are also traditional institutions called Sadaliye that use indicators related to plant
Figure 1: Old model of NMA's rainfall regions, or homogenous climatic zones, that inform seasonal forecasts.
Figure 2: New model of NMA's rainfall regions, or homogenous climatic zones to inform forecasts, based on CARE-supported NMA forecast validation.
26
morphology and appearance of specific animal flocks (birds, insects) and the behavior of domestic animals
to predict and monitor pasture, conflict and water conditions. While participants noted that using
traditional forecasting supported local decision-making, there was increased reluctance to use and discuss
this information publicly due to its association with fortune-tellers or sha-men, known as Faaliye, who
were seen as unacceptable due to religious reasons. As a core outcome of the workshops, participants were
able to distinguish the valid, scientific-based forms of community forecasting and agreed on how to use
these more prominently in household and joint decision-making. A key action point from the meeting was
how to use traditional sources of information-exchange, including the Isweraysi system, and community
meetings and ceremonies to further discuss these issues. Participants also discussed how their traditional
systems can link with government-led early warning systems, and linking woreda DPPO systems to
community structures. Leaders also agreed on how to address socio-cultural barriers to using legitimate
forecast information.
Afar:
The workshop in Afar was organized jointly by AISDA and CARE Ethiopia at Awash Town from May 25-
26, 2014. A total of 48 participants (37 males and 11 females) representing the groups identified above
attended. As in Babile-Somali, communities discussed the strength of their traditional early warning
system by using seasonal rainfall forecast from traditional forecasters such as Hutukbeya, Ginile (Male)
and Keluwale (Female), and the importance of local knowledge dissemination systems, including the
pasture and conflict knowledge transfer system throuigh the Eddo and Remli. At the same time,
strengthening of "formal" systems and increased religious influence have blurred the lines between valid
local forecasting mechanisms and witchcraft, which have constrained pubic discourse and share decision-
making around weather, pasture and even conflict information. Key action points that came out of the
meeting were the need to create links between community and government early warning systems, as well
as strengthen the capacity of meteorological bodies to better share and disseminate information through
community systems.
South:
In the Southern Cluster, three workshops across four woredas - Arero, Miyo, Moyale and Mubarak, brought
together 77 participants (6 women and 71 men). The meeting assessed early warning indicators used by
both traditional and meteorological forecasters, community information needs and information monitoring
and dissemination mechanisms among traditional forecastsers and meteorology professionals. Communtiy
members from both Borena and Liben Zones described strong traditonal forecasting systems that were
weakend due to religious reasons and "formalization" of information structures - a similar phenomenon to
observations in the Eastern and Afar clusters. This has meant that information is disseminated as heresay,
or through casual meetings at water and pasture points, rather than openly and systematically. At the same
time, participants were more outspoken about their lack of trust for scientific information, because it is too
broad and removed from the context.
Multi-stakeholder Regional Seasonal Assessment to track and monitor early warning indicators and
performance of the Sugum rain in Afar Region
As per the MoU signed, plan prepared and consultation held with the Afar Region DPFSPCO, PRIME
covered supported the Regional Sugum Rain Seasonal Assessment, including members of the Pastoral and
Agriculture Development, Water Bureau, Health and Education Bureaus. The multi-agency and multi-
27
sectoral needs assessment has been conducted twice a year across the country to identify humanitarian
requirements. The areas covered by the assessment were:
Woreda Livelihood zone # of PAs
covered
Percentage of livelihood zone
Elidaar Elidaar Pastoral 3 60
Kore Elidaar Pastoral 2 40
Abea‘la Aseale Agro - pastoral 3 60
Berehale Aseale Agro - pastoral 2 40
Erebite Aseale pastoral 3 60
Bidu Aseale pastoral 2 40
The seasonal assessment used a Household Economic Analysis methodology, collecting data on key
indicators that reflect household food security. Data collected included current season/year crop production
data, price data (including staple prices, livestock and livestock product prices, cash crop prices and labor
prices), inflation, changes in livestock holdings, changes in availability of labor, and changes in other
income sources. Livelihood Impact Analysis Sheets (LIAS) were used to store and analyze the collected
data.
Participatory Dialogues on Climate Risks, Disaster Risk Management and Community Livelihood
Adaptation
CVCA dialogues in the Southern Cluster
As part of participatory mapping and rangeland analysis described below (Key Result 2.1, Activity 4)
community vulnerability and capacity assessments (CVCAs) were conducted in two new rangeland
systems of engagement, including Dheda Golbo in Borena and Dheda Wayama Somali area. A total of 92
participants (77 men and 15 women) representing clan leaders, rangeland council leaders, women and
youth representatives and government experts drawn from Mubarek, Hudet, and Moyale woredas linked to
Woyama Rangeland system, and Dire, Dillo and Miyo from Golbo rangeland system.
During the assessment, participants identified drought, conflict, erratic rainfall, human and animal diseases
as the most important hazards affecting livelihoods and rangeland resources in both Golbe and Wayama-
Somali. In Golbo, cross-border and intra-rangeland unit mobility between dry and wet season grazing
areas, preserving communal enclosures, preserving crop residues and setting aside reserve grazing areas in
some parts of the dheda are among the main strategies the people use to cope with those hazards.
Unplanned excavation of ponds and private enclosures (kallo) are identified as undesirable and most
problematic coping strategies used by some households in Golbo. In the Wayama area, separating wet and
dry season grazing areas is the most frequently used coping strategy while the timely selling of livestock
before the occurrence of a hazard is the least frequent used strategy by the community. The CVCA analysis
is being used to map potential hazards and plan for improved preparedness strategies through improved
resource management and utilization in the rangeland system.
DRM Dialogues in Babile Somali
ACPA facilitated two discussions on climate risks, disaster risk management practices and livelihood
adaptation options - separately with men and women in Babile Somali woreda of Fafen zone. The first
28
dialogue was conducted from April 25-28 at Elbahay Kebele of Dakhta valley rangeland system, while the
second dialogue was facilitated from May 1-5 at Dhadhamne kebele of Erar valley rangeland system. The
discussions included 30 men and 20 women representing women and youth forums, VSLAs, dairy producer
cooperatives, government sector offices, and non-affiliated producers.
In both gender dialogues, the CVCA methodology was introduced, reviewing major climatic hazards in the
area, affected natural resources and assets, and opportunities for improved preparedness strategies.
Traditional water harvesting and diversion of flood water into rangelands, traditional conflict management,
destocking and restocking of livestock, social support systems and sale of livestock at appropriate time
were discussed as adaptive strategies that need to be strengthened. The most common mal-adaptive
practices discussed included weakening traditional resource governance, settlement in low-lying areas
prone to flood risks, expansion of settlement in grazing areas and indiscriminate cutting of trees for
firewood and construction. Participants identified constraints to climate adaptive practices including poor
saving culture and aid dependency, and limited productivity of animals that was met with a poor market
price. Preparedness and adaptation strategies proposed by the Babile-Somali community included:
Establishing and supporting women's dairy development systems, including through the establishment
of fodder/feed reserves, and strengthening dairy cooperatives
Constructing flood preventive and diversion structures in key pasture areas
Constructing irrigation structures, water diversions and establishing water harvesting structures
Expanding fodder production, privately at both household and commercial levels, as well as communal
rangeland management systems
Supporting gender appropriate business development among women, including animal fattening,
baking, and dairy production to enhance access to trade in relevant areas.
Creating access to finance
CVCA in Harshin, with Government Partners and the Climate Smart Initiative (CSI)
HAVOYOCO, with the support of CARE, led a CVCA analysis of Harshin rangeland system, as part of a
wider dialogue that supported community map validation and institutional strengthening that took place
from April 1 to 3. The discussion was a learning dialogue for government partners working with
Productive Safety Net Programs (PSNP), and the new World Bank-funded Climate Smart Initiative
designed to improve climate change adaptation and mitigation outcomes under the PSNP. PRIME team
members led regional representatives and the CSI team through the CVCA process in the field,
demonstrating how climate analysis is most effective when linked to community rangeland mapping and
understanding the systems and institutions in place. Both PRIME and CSI staffs have shared roles in the
overall facilitation process of the dialogue to create opportunities particularly for the CSI team to learn and
exercise the process by doing. Following the dialogue the two teams (PRIME and LAND staffs) discussed
how to harmonize their approaches and coordinate the work they do under the two projects in the Harshin
rangeland system.
The Harshin rangeland management representatives identified drought, livestock disease, heat stress, flood,
erratic rainfall and winds (dust storm) as the major hazards affecting their resources, and pointed to
Hussein-Samane, Abokor-ahmed, Abdi-waqi west Afufley, Galol-fadhi, Bali Aman, Kambarwaaqo and
Kam-Hashin sub-rangeland units as particularly affected. Livestock diseases were particularly manifested
in grassland areas that are designated for wet season grazing being induced by nearby settlements and
29
heavy stocking of livestock, while erratic rainfall was seen as mostly affecting woodland areas of the
rangeland system that are designated for dry season grazing.
Digitizaion and Updating of Community rangeland system maps, to support land use planning and
rangeland management
Based on field verification exercises of digtized community rangeland system maps in the previous quarter,
CARE has released a final version of seven rangeland system maps in Borena and lowland Guji. The map
includes both administrtive, geographic, and rangeland management features - particularly rangeland sub
units (or reras) and wet and dry season grazigng areas. Two rangeland systems from Southern Cluster,
Oromiya, Golbo and Wadera remain to be validated and updated in the upcoming quarter.
Rangeland system maps have been updated based on field verification exercises of Mullu, Afdem and
Babile-Oromiya in Eastern Cluster and Gewane-Gellalo and Awash Fentale rangeland systems, linked to
institutional strengthening activities described below (Key Result 2.2).
The table below summarizes work done in digitization and updating community maps, including new and
continuing hectares of land under intervention. All mapping exercises are accompanied by intensive
institutional strengthening processes and rangeland management planning, which supports improved
management practices and technologies in hectares of land across the identified areas.
Cluster Rangeland
Systems
Total Ha of
Land
New
Hectares
Continuing
Hectares
Work Done
AFAR Gewani-
Geleallo
249,119 249,119 Digitization and
Community map validation
completed
Awash
Fentale
141,281 141,281 Digitization and
Community map validation
completed
EAST Babile
Oromiya
23,188 23,188 Digitization and community
map validation completed
Mulu 46,134 46,134 Map validation completed
Afdem 65,079 65,079 Map validation under
process
SOUTH Dida 340,188 340,188
Updating and finalizing
community maps based on
validation.
Sub-Rangeland units
mapping completed
Golba
Dawa
258,754 258,754
Golba
Genalle
138,933 138,933
Dirre 728,762 728,762
Gomolle 695,112 695,112
Mallbe 1,316,347 1,316,347
Wayama 515,457 515,457
Total 413,588 4,104,766
30
Three Eastern Cluster rangeland systems are undergoing geo-referencing, including Babile-Somali, Harshin
and Erer.
USFS collabortion to support ecological site analysis and presentation of the land cover land use
analysis study
PRIME continued its partnership with the United States Forest Service to support remote sensing analysis
of PRIME rangeland systems. The goal of the analysis is to provide a picture of the changes in resource
conditions over time, and how this relates to changing land use patterns, that can inform improved land use
planning towards better productivity in the rangelands.
A four-member USFS team visited Ethiopia to present the results of their land use/land cover analysis in
four pilot PRIME clusters, that include Dheda Dida, and part of Gomole in Southern Cluster, Harshin in
Eastern Cluster and Zone 3 systems in Afar. The primay results of the analysis demonstrated the expansion
of farmlands on or next to grasslands. The result failed to provide a clear picture of bush invasion over
time, as many landscape areas characterized as shrubland continued with this characterization over time,
but failed to demonstrate the changing composition of palatable vs. non-palatable species.
As a next step, PRIME agreed that a species or more specific vegetation classification was critical to
demonstrate degradation in shrublands. In addition, PRIME has asked for support in training on rangeland
management and monitoring techniques for local government and staff that can be used with the
community. A visit to take the two objectives forward is planned with the US Forest Service for the second
half of the upcoming quarter.
Competitive grant to establish a Carbon Baseline Data and determine the Role and Effects of
Participatory Rangeland Management Practices in Rangeland Carbon Sequestration
PRIME supports two mechanisms to fund research to establish carbon baseline data for key rangeland
systems of intervention, and to determine the role and effects of landscape level participatory rangeland
management practices in rangeland carbon sequestration and in improving soil quality and ecosystem
resilience. PRIME released a competitive grant mechanism to fund related research to be conducted in Dida
and Gomole grazing systems in the Southern Cluster, Harshin and Babile in the Eastern Cluster, and
Amibara and Gewane-Gele'alo grazing systems in Afar. Haramaya University is also engaged in related
initiatives in Muli, Babile, Hrashi and Afdem rangeland systems of Eastern Cluster, Awash Fentale,
Gewane and Amibara rangeland systems of Afar Cluster and Dire rangeland system of Southern Cluster.
The two studies are intended to build an evidence base on the impact of participatory rangeland
management not only in climate change adaptation for pastoral communities, but climate change mitigation
as well. The hypothesis is that changes in rangeland management practices impact carbon sequestration,
and that participatory techniques can improve carbon storage in biomass and soil organic matter that not
only contribute to rangeland productivity but support climate mitigation. Rangeland management at
landscape level is expected to improve the vegetation cover and soil quality of rangelands thereby
enhancing the carbon stock there. Modest changes in carbon storage on rangelands hold promise to affect
the carbon cycle and the climate system worldwide.
31
Satellite documentation of cattle mobility patterns
To support rangeland management planning, CARE has partnered with Cornell University to conduct
satellite documentation of cattle mobility patterns in key pastoral areas. The research will inform policy on
protecting livestock corridors, and improve understanding of the relationship between cattle mobility,
rangeland ecology and rangeland management. PRIME is linking the research to the rangeland system
maps and institutions it has been working with, and joint research development has been on-going in the
current quarter. The methodology of the research will provide GPS collars to cattle in key herds selected in
discussion with rangeland council members. The full research is expected to begin in September.
Key result 2.2: Increase Capacity for Effective Governance for Climate Resilience
Establishing partnership and plans for improving land rights and resource productivity in pastoral areas
PRIME continued its partnership with the USAID-funded Land Administration to Nurture Development
(LAND) project to link PRIME's institutional strengthening and rangeland system mapping work to support
improved land rights and administration in pastoral areas. Key activities that have moved forward in this
quarter under the shared initiative include:
Support to the formation of the Zonal Oromiya Pastoral Advisory Committee (ZPAC) for Land
Administration and Natural Resource Management
Planning for Regional OPAC Field Visit: PRIME is coordinating with LAND to support a LAND-led
visit of the regional land adminsitration officials to the rangeland systems supported by PRIME to enhance
understanding of the regional officials on community-systems of land management, and the option of
certification at rangeland system level. The visit is scheduled for August in the upcoming quarter.
Input into the LAND Impact Evaluation: PRIME has assisted with targeting for LAND's impact
evaluation through its rangeland system maps, and provided substantial input into the design of the
evaluation to make it more context sensitive.
Development of a Memorandum of Understanding that is expected to be signed in the upcoming quarter.
Strenghtening of Rangelands Management Platform under the Pastoral Directorate, State Ministry of
Livestock
PRIME has established a partnership with the Pastoral Directorate, State Ministry of Livestock to
coordinate a learning and harmonization platform for natural resource management in pastoral areas. The
Rangelands Management Platform (RMP) is designed to provide a space for development practitioners and
researchers to come together and harmonize best practices, as well as take collective action and approaches
to implementation, under the auspices of the GoE. As the State Ministry of Livestock houses several bi-
lateral funded projects to build the resilience of dryland communities, the platform is designed to also
benefit these projects by disseminating good practices. The platform also provides an opportunity for
development partners to input into national strategies and policies around rangeland management. Platform
meetings are designed to take place quarterly, around key themes in rangeland management that are
selected jointly with the Directorate, PRIME and development partners.
32
The first meeting of the platform was held on April 16th, 2014 around the theme "Addressing Prosopis
Juliflora in Ethiopia's Rangelands: Practice, Status and Way Forward." The meeting brought together 48
stakeholders in rangeland management, including 16 representatives from national and regional agriculture
bureaus and government research institutes, 28 members from civil society and 4 from private sector
consultancies. Experiences in prosopis clearing, control, and use were presented by the Ethiopian Institute
for Agricultural Research (EIAR) as well as the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI). A key outcome
was a statement from the Rangeland Management Platform to the State Ministry of Livestock to
incorporate into forthcoming national strategies on prosopis that the State Minister is spearheading.
Workshop minutes and the recommendations were distributed to all platform members for feedback, and
have also fed into the agenda of the higher-level policy workshop that PRIME supported among higher
government officials in Awash Arba in June, as described below.
Higher official prosopis policy workshop, Awash Arba
CARE provided technical and financial support to a higher-level government workshop in Awash Arba, on
June 17 - 18, that was intended to initiate the process of forming a national prosopis strategy. The
workshop, led and organized by the Pastoral Directorate, State Ministry of Livestock, engaged 52 people,
including 15 officials and experts from the the NRM, Livestock, and Land State Ministries under the
Ministry of Agriculture, experts from Ethiopian Research Institutes, regional government officials, and key
civil society representatives engaged in prosopis. The workshop built off of the recommendations from the
Rangeland Management Platform (Activity 2 above), which were presented by the Ethipoian Society for
Animal Production (ESAP)/Pastoral Rangelands Forum Ethiopia.
The workshop also included a site visit to model areas for prosopis clearing. This includes the sites in
Amibara where PRIME has supported prosopis removal using a frontloader. Community members were on
site to explain to higher officials the process they had gone through in identifying the site through a
participatory rangeland management approach, and their community contribution to clearing and
management.
As a key action step, the State Minister has formed a technical sub-group of key partners to work with the
federal and regional governments on a national prosopis control strategy. PRIME is represented in the
group via its technical consultant, Fiona Flintan.
Community Map Validation and Instituitonal Strengthening
PRIME conducted a series of map validation exercises involving digitized versions of community maps,
across the three clusters. Map validation exercises were tied to institutional strengthening meetings, as the
map review helped key community representatives to better delineate resource management
responsibilities, and evaluate the role of traditional leaders to do these effectively.
Digital Map Validation and Institutional Strengthening - Eastern Cluster
Institutional strengthening processes were conducted in Afdem, Mullu, and Babile Oromiya rangeland
systems in the Eastern Cluster, as part of digital map review and validation exercises in the respective
systems. A total of 75 people (55 men and 20 women) from community elders‘ councils, women and youth,
and woreda officials and experts participated in the processes at the three rangeland units. While providing
33
feedback on the digitized maps, participants verified wet and dry season grazing areas, mobility patterns
and distribution of water points, and identified missing or extraneous data on the map. In Mullu for
example, participants identified areas on the digitized map that are managed by neighboring Afdem area
rangeland councils, and thus removed this area from the map. Importantly they identified which kebeles
were part of which rangeland units, and analyzed how their traditional resource management systems
linked with administrative systems. In Afdem, a challenge was observed in terms of mobilizing the
appropriate stakeholders for the meeting, and the map validation will be redone in the upcoming quarter.
Data from the verification exercises has been included for Mullu and Babile Oromiya and the maps are
being updated.
The process also included institutional strengthening. First, participants reported back on the community
consultation sessions that they agreed to conduct following the previous participatory resource mapping
exercise. The outreach sessions were designed to introduce the concept of participatory rangeland
management approaches, raise community awareness on the importance of separating wet and dry season
grassing areas, and build momentum for revitalizing traditional systems of rangeland management.
According to the elders report, 13 meetings were conducted by the council of elders with 2,934 community
participants, including 1,729 participants in five meeting in Mieso, 413 participants in Afdem, and 792
participants in Babile Oromiya. 675 participants were women representative from the three rangeland
systems.
Second, participants reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of their resource use and governance practices,
referring to feedback from the community meetings. Elders‘ councils reviewed and finalized the
delineation and division of their larger rangeland unit into rangeland management sub units. Six units were
identified in the Mieso rangeland system, seven in Afdem, and three in Babile Oromiya. Responsible
elders were assigned in each of the relevant sub-units, and roles and responsibilities were reviewed and
agreed upon.
Map Review and Institutional Strengthening in Harshin Rangeland System
To strengthen the participatory map that was conducted in Harshin previously, a follow-up community
mapping exercise was conducted in Harshin from April 1-3, 2014. A total of 25 key community elders and
representatives (20 men and 5 women) that included Kebele leaders, chief clan leaders, and experts of
relevant woreda level government offices attended. The objective of the dialogue was to add detail
information and known features to the resource map produced during the previous dialogues for
digitization, to review the existing customary resource governance institution and to create a plan to
strengthen rangeland institutions and rangeland productivity. In Harshin rangeland system, resources are
managed and governed by the clan leaders ''board of committees" assigned by the major clans. The
meeting provided an opportunity for participants to review the strength and weaknesses of their clan-based
resource management and governance system and strengthened their institution by reforming the resource
managing "committee" to make it more inclusive. As part of the discussion, key rangeland sub-units were
identified for management, and councils were elected to each.
Digital Map Validation and Institutional Strengthening in Gewane-Gelallo and Awash Fentale Rangeland
Systems, Afar
34
Map validation and institutional strengthening exercises were organized in Gewane-Gelealo and Awash
Fentale rangeland systems from April 4-5, 2014 and June 25-26, 2014 with a total of 60 and 38
participants, respectively. Participants included rangeland council members, key community
representatives - men and women, and government representatives including kebele chairpersons, heads of
Pastoral and Agricultural Development Offices, woreda administration and land use and administration
process owners. Group discussion was undertaken the digitized maps, which include the presence of some
reference areas, key resources such as dry and wet season grazing lands, water points, and their geographic
placement. Key resource areas under the rangeland system which are found in the community maps but
missed in the digitized maps were identified and included, while others were excluded. Mobility of the
communities in and out of the rangeland systems and of others/outsiders towards the rangeland systems are
identified and indicated in the map.
Digital map validation in Awash Fentale Rangeland System
35
Rangeland Management Structure in Bunketo-Molalle Rangeland Sub-Unit of Gewane-Gelallo Rangeland System,
As part of the map validation process, institutional strengthening was conducted to review the roles and
responsibilities of the rangeland councils, clarify structures, and validate members.
Follow-Up Dialogues on Institutional Strengthening and Setting of Rehabilitation Priorities
Apart from map validation exercises described above, rangeland council dialogues were conducted to
strengthen governance and structures for rangeland management in Dire Rangeland System in Southern
Cluster, and in Harshin, Gashamo, Mullu, Afdem, and Babile Oromiya rangeland structures. These
discussions also focused on working with the rangeland councils on setting rehabilitation priorities to
enhance rangeland productivity, based on the system mapping and analysis conducted in previous sessions.
Eastern Cluster
Five institutional strengthening discussions have been conducted in Mulu, Gashamo, Afdem, Harshin, and
Babile Oromiya rangeland systems of Eastern Cluster during the quarter. A total of 189 people (169 male
and 20 female) from community members and the relevant woreda level government offices participated.
Here again, the discussions were focused on strengthening the customary NRM institution at rangeland
system and sub-rangeland units, and electing representatives to serve on the rangeland management
council. As part of the institutional reform and review process, women have been included with 25%
representation in the newly reformed council to enhance women's role in resource governance and decision
making (see the table below). A summary of the rangeland management system for the concerned areas is
depicted below.
36
Women's representation in the rangeland management council
# Rangeland
system
# of
sub-
units
# elders council
at sub-units
(average)
# of elders council at
system level (average)
Women
members at
system level
1 Harshin 8 3 24 6
2 Afdem 6 4 24 6
3 Gashamo 6 3.16 19 6
4 Mullu 6 4 24 5
5 Babile Oromiya 3 8.30 25 8
Participants also discussed and agreed on their institutional structure and the relationships between the
rangeland councils at the rangeland unit and sub-rangeland unit level. Finally, they have discussed and
instituted a regular meeting schedule (on a monthly basis) to agree upon and address issues related to
rangeland system management.
The dialogue participants have also discussed and prioritized resource rehabilitation activities at their
respective rangeland units and identified roles and responsibilities of the community and the support they
expect from PRIME for implementing the prioritized rehabilitation activities. Below is a table
summarizing the rehabilitation priorities in each discussion, and their status:
Rangeland
System
Top Priorities Impact
Beneficiaries
Status
Harshin Hussei Saman Pond
Rehabilitation
750 HHs
(40,565 heads of
livestock)
Completed technical
assessment; design
under development
Abokr Ahmed Pond
rehabilitation
Completed technical
assessment; design
under development
Mullu Berikle Pond Development 8,500 HH; (45,300
heads of livestock)
Under construction (see
2.3)
Hulkadoba Pond
Development
Technical assessments
and concept note
development underway Afdem Kudajale Borehole
Rehabilitation
Kumbi Pond Development
Karaba River Diversion Under Review Technical Assessments
under way
Gashamo Ana-madobe, pond
rehabilitation
Under Review Technical Assessments
under way
Dhagaxyo-ado pond
rehabilitation
Gashamo Kebele Pond
rehabilitation
Babile
Oromiya
Lekole Pond Rehabilitation
37
Southern Cluster:
In Dire, the institutional review and strengthening dialogue was conducted on April 27 with the aim of
nominating elders to manage and lead the entire rangeland resources on behalf of their community. The
election was made based on the set criteria by the particpants and through thorough discussion on the need
for the elders' council to be inclusive and representative of the diverse interest groups in the rangeland
system. The total of 31 people (26 male and 5 female) of which 27 are from members of the six sub-unit's
resources management councils, and the remaining 4 are from the local government line departments have
participated on the meeting. Each Rera also elected a leader and Rera level council members will be
accountable to the dheeda leaders named above. The nomination has been approved by the Gada leader
(Guyo Goba) and made legitimate and recognized by the Borena Gada system.
In Malbe Rangeland system, NRM follow-up dialogue was held during May 15-16, to identify and
prioritize resource rehabilitation and enahncement activities and facilitate the development of detailed
community action plans for implementing prioritized activities. A total of 38 people (5 women) represented
from ten sub rangeland units (Reras) and local government offices participated on the meeting.
Accordingly, rehabilitation priorities identified and among the priorities identified by the participants
selective bush thinning on 5270 ha areas of lands encroached by invasive bushes was the first priority. The
identified selective bush thinning activity is assumed to benefit over 1900 HHs in providing better pasture
availability for the dry season. In addition to the bush thinning activities, about six non-functional or
damaged water points were identified for rehabilaition. The water points are also expected to benefit about
4100 HHs living in the area by providing them sufficent water for both livestock and human comsuption
during both dry and wet seasons.
Negotiations on addressing diverse land use interests among stakeholder groups in Borena and Guji
rangeland systems
As part of a wider process of enhancing rangeland system governance, CARE has developed a
methodology to enhance the capacity of rangeland councils to represent and negotiate diverse land use
interests within their units of management. Since rangeland systems are vast units that cover farm areas and
forests, as well as private sector investment, the legitimancy of the rangeland concils stands not only in
their ability to manage grazing areas, but also support to protect the intersts of other land users, and allocate
land uses accordingly. In this quarter, four dialogues were conducted around negotiating internal interests,
including two in Guji Zone rangealnd systems, and two in Borena. The dialogues brought together Gada
leaders, or the most senior decision-makers of Borena, dheda elders or the rangeland council, pastoralists,
farmers, investors and goverment officials. The meetings were facilitated by the dheda elders themselves,
with whom PRIME reveiwed a facilitation plan and agenda for the meeting. A summary of participant
numbers and key discussion points is provided below:
Rangeland
System
# of ppts Key Issues
Dheda Dida,
Guji Zone
44, including
5 Gada
represntatives
Farmers discussed the need for use right recognition;
concession or certificate
Full recognition of overall communal land management by
dhedas, and recognition of individual rights with it
Rangeland system management by dheda was seen as
critical to overall rangeland productivity
38
Importance of integrating rangeland system work with
Gada leadership
Golba Dawa,
Guji Zone
44, including
5 Gada
represntatives
Review and acknowledge of Gada leadership of Borena
as fundemantal decision-making structure
Exclusion of women reviewed and restructured to add
three women to the senior dheda council
Overhaul of leadership in one sub-grazing unit to ensure
greater representation
Acknowledgment of communal land certification, but
with structures to endorse private rigths within it
Malbe 33 Support for importance and revitalizaton of customary
institions to lead and manage resources on behalf of the
diverse groups
Revision of Arda (kebele) structure to be more inclusive
and represntative
Clarification of roles and responsibilities among councils,
on behalf of various interest groups
Agreement to communal land certification at dheda, or
rangeland system level
Gomole 39, including
10 Gada
leaders
Pastoralist land rights being a critical issue for pastoralist
and other livelihood groups in the rea
Dheda as the appropriate level of land certification
pastoral areas to avoid land fragmentation
Dheda is the appropriate institution to protect diverse
land rights
Formation of the Zonal Pastoral Advisory Council (ZPAC) for Land Administration and Natural
Resource Management in Guji and Borena Zones
Zonal Pastoralists' Advisory Committtee (ZPAC) was establish at both Borana and Guji zones. The ZPAC
is formed with members represented from different zonal level government offices such as the Zonal
administrator, and Heads of the Zonal Rural Land and Environment Office, Water, Mineral and Energy
office, and Pastoral development offices, as well as the Chairmen of the rangeland councils of all the
rangeland systems, or "dhedas" in the zone. The ZPAC idea emerged from the Regional Oromiya Pastoral
Advisory Committee (OPAC) that the LAND project has established in support of guiding regulatory
frameworks and legislation on securing pastoral land rights. As part of Regional OPAC meetings and
based on agreemetn with LAND, PRIME was charged with facilitating the establishment of the Zonal
Forums to interface with the region on the issue of pastoral land tenure. As per the approved ToR, the
ZPAC is expected to play a facilitation and advisory role on the processes of securing the pastoral land
rights. In this quarter, PRIME has supported two meetings in Borena and one in Guji among dheda elders
and the key zonal represntatives on the expected fundtions of the ZPAC, and discussed prepartions for a
field visit of the Regional OPAC to discuss key issues of land tenure at a local level. The field visit led by
LAND is expected to take place from August 4th to the 14th in the following quarter. PRIME will support
all preparations for the visit at a field level.
Participatory Mapping and Institutional Analysis in Four New Rangeland Systems
39
In this quarter, PRIME supported participatory resource mapping and accompanying institutional analysis
in four new rangeland systems of intervention, marking the total rangeland systems of intervention under
PRIME at 23. In this quarter, Mercy Corps conducted the exercise in Golbo, the final and fifth rangeland
system in Borena Zone, Wayama Somali, the rangeland system across the border from Borena in Liben
Zone, Somali Region, and in Erer Rangeland System, Siti Zone. ACPA conducted the exercise in Babile-
Erer Valley, the second rangeland system identified within Babile worda. Both Southern Cluster and
Eastern Cluster are now intervening in nine rangeland systems each.
In each case, communities mapped wet and dry season pasture areas, water points, farmlands, settlements
and mobility patterns. User, decision-maker and relationship analyses were conducted with the mapping, to
begin the process of revitalizing and strengthening customary institutions for rangeland management. As
part of the institutional and governance analysis, communities identified resource users and decision-
makers, the relative effectiveness and legitimacy of various decision-makers as well as relationships among
users and among decision-makers. Participants in all meetings included key resource decision-makers and
knowledge holders, and local government representatives. Customary governance institutions were
reviewed, revitalized and reformed to include women and youth representatives. Details of the mapping
exercises are provided below.
Southern Cluster - Golbo and Wayama-Somali Rangeland Systems
Ninety community members, of whom 13 were women, 69 were from community representatives (elders,
women and youth) and the remaining 21 from government partners participated in the processes across the
two sites. Wayama was mapped covering 60 keblele, and is estimated to be one of the largest rangeland
systems of intervention. As part of the mapping process it divided into 12 sub- units, supporting communal
resource management and mobility. It has one of the major water sources - the Laye traditional wells - in
the southern rangelands, and a number of private and communal ponds. There are no distinct areas set aside
for dry and wet season grazing, although mobility patterns in the dry season were identified. Improved
management of dry and wet season areas was noted as a key action point. Water is relatively better
managed than pasture by a traditional institution known as Abba Herrega (water manager). Pasture use is
decided upon by the kebele chairman, but regulations around pasture use and mobility are unclear and need
to be strengthened.
Golbo was determined to encompass 21 kebeles, 6 from Dillo, 1 from Dire, 8 from Miyo and 6 from
Moyale woreda. While most of the rangeland system lies in Kenya, and is managed jointly with Kenya,
eight sub-rangeland units in Boren have been defined and mapped by the community on the Ethiopian side.
As in Wayama Somali, traditional water management in Golbo is strong compared to the pasture
(grasslands) management which is also managed by the community. Clearing invasive and unpalatable
bushes, rehabilitating degraded land through reseeding with grass seeds, rehabilitating damaged water
points, and arranging inappropriate settlements were some of the key action points that communities
discussed to take forward. Maps of both rangeland systems are being digitized and hectares of land are
under verification.
Eastern Cluster - Babile-Erer Valley, Fafan and Erer-Gotha, Siit Rangeland Systems
Eighty community representatives (50 men and 30 women) including kebele leaders, chief clan leaders, and
NRM and rangeland experts from woreda government offices participated in the process at the two sites.
Babile-Erer Valley rangeland system was divided into three rangeland sub-units based on the existing
resource use and management systems, while Erer-Gotha was divided into four. The systems were mapped
40
at 41,568 and 204,057 hectares of land, respectively. In Erer-Gotha, participants emphasized that rangeland
has been shrinking and livestock mobility has been constrained in recent years due to the expansion of crop
farming activities. Remaining rangelands are continuously grazed all the year round and the rangeland
productivity is always very poor. Institutional strengthening for improved management of rangelands was
identified as a top priority in both cases. Regular rangeland council meeting dates were set by participants
on a monthly basis. Participants in the dialogue agreed to conduct wider community consultations at their
respective units before their next meeting, to share the messages of the meeting, the decisions they made
and also to introduce the elected council members to the community members that did not participate on
the process. The councils of elders at both systems will meet in a month at their respective rangelands to
prioritize resource enhancement rehabilitation priorities and identify roles and responsibilities of the
community, the elders' council and the type of support they expect from PRIME.
Key result 2.3: Implementation of Climate Solutions
Follow-up implementation support and monitoring of the dissemination and utilization of Participatory
Scenario Planning (PSP) advisories by pastoralists and small businesses
Babile-Babile Participatory Scenario Planning
ACPA and Mercy Corps facilitated a joint participatory scenario planning workshop in Babile town, with
participants from Babile Somali (Dakhata and Erar Valley rangeland systems), and Babile Oromiya
Participatory mapping and institutional analysis in Erer-Gotha Rangeland System, Erer woreda, Siti Zone
41
woredas. The objectives of the workshop were to provide information on possible rainfall scenarios for the
upcoming Gu (mid-May to mid-June) rainy season, identify opportunities and threats associated with
forecasts, and develop and disseminate preparedness plans.
A total of 50 stakeholders drawn from regional meteorology offices, woreda DPPO, woreda administration
and sector offices, traditional weather forecasters, clan leaders, community data collectors (CDCs), and
women and youth representatives attended the workshop. Traditional forecasters predicted relat ively good
rains for the upcoming rainy season, which they expect to be similar to the previous year. The
meteorological forecast showed normal to above normal rain with odds of above normal rainfall in Babile –
Babile and surrounding woredas, In addition, there were warnings of possible unexpected high rainfall that
could cause flash floods and disease outbreak in low-lying areas, such as Dakhata and Erer valleys.
Community members developed scenarios for the mid May-mid June season for various rainfall
possibilities, considering major potential hazards and risks, associated impacts and opportunities.
For normal and above normal rainfall, with a combined probability of 75% of occurrence, communities
considered the risk of flooding, diseases, crop pests and diseases. At the same time, this seasonal forecast
was predicted to be favorable for pasture growth and water harvesting. Given the uncertainties of forecasts,
participants identified risks and possible impacts and strategies for the 25% chance that rainfall will be
below normal. In this case, water and pasture shortages and diseases were identified as major risks. Also
having identified the possible hazards, impacts and opportunities, participants identified and developed
alternative plans and advisories to address each of the three scenarios. Specific plans for dissemination of
advisories and monitoring of implementation progress were developed by workshop participants. As a
follow-up to PSP, both ACPA and Mercy Corps have conducted consultative meetings with government
and community stakeholders.
Monitoring of PSP Advisories in Babile-Babile:
From June 20-30, 2014, ACPA and Mercy Corps conducted monitoring on the dissemination of PSP
advisories agreed upon in the workshop as well as the implementation of preparedness measures. The
meetings with workshop stakeholders also supported an assessment of rainfall, pasture and water
conditions on the ground.
Through the monitoring process PSP advisories were directly disseminated to about 5,180 households
through community information disseminators. Despite the outreach, a number of challenges were
identified to more effective outreach and utilization of information. As the PSP was a pilot, the absence of
institutional arrangements to take it forward was a constraint in its effectiveness. Broader awareness-
raising around forecasts and advisories was also critical.
In the monitoring, discussions were held with relevant government institutions for co-organization and
ownership of the process, and the need to engage key community institutions in government early warning
structures. The following were identified as key action steps:
Strengthening of EW committees through inclusion of traditional forecasters, rangeland councils and
other norm holders as members for monitoring and tracking early warning information on a regular
basis.
Linking PSPs with relevant community development agents and institutions such as CAHWs, VSLAs,
Teachers, Health workers.
42
Engaging the most appropriate stakeholders in the PSP workshops (DPPFSO, Rangeland councils,
early warning committee, forecasters, CAHWS).
Also, despite a jointly agreed upon forecast of normal rains among scientific and traditional forecasters,
rainfall was below normal, preventing the full recovery of key pasture areas and water points. Livestock
body condition in the area was deteriorating. Also, as the PSP was conducted for the first time as a pilot
without sufficient planning for monitoring and institutional arrangements, specific advisories targeted to
households were not developed.
Amibara and Awash Fentale Participatory Scenario Planning, Afar Cluster
Afar cluster conducted two participatory scenario planning processes, one that brought togeter Gewane,
Gelallo and Amibara woredas, and the second focused on Argoba. A total of 102 community members
attended the process in the two workshops. The PSP process was well-received by the participants, and
noted as an important step in not only disaster preparedness and planning, but also to take advantage of
potential opportunities within the seasons. Clan leaders mobilized participants for the workshop, and as a
result, many of the participants had already come to the process aware of key objectives and methodology.
Forecasts for the season included normal to above normal rainfall.
Monitoring PSP in Afar Cluster
Following the PSP, CARE and AISDA conducted four follow-up workshops at woreda level to guage the
success of the PSP process, and to facilitate the dissemination of advisories at a local level. A total of 428
participants, including 160 women and 268 men, attended the workshops, which included both government
and community stakeholders. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of the
PSP approach and draw lessons for future PSPs. From the meeting, CARE Ethiopia realized that most
target community members have in one way or another received the advisories from friends, co-villagers,
clan leaders, and youth in their community. At the same time, the need for institutionalizing the process to
be more effective became apparent. Also apparent was the the need for more clearly delineating roles and
responsibilities among different stakeholders for both disseminating advisories and implementing actions.
As in the Eastern Cluster, challenges were associated with the need for both institutionalizing PSP within
the government early warning structures, and at the same time making those structures more inclusive and
reflective of community interests.
Training of Trainers and Practitioners on Social and Behavioural Communication tool developed to
address behavioral, attitudinal and socio-institutional constraints and limits to climate adaptation
PRIME has adopted CARE's SAA (Social Action and Analysis) approach to address behavioral and socio-
institutional barriers to climate change adaptation among pastoral households. In the reporting quarter, a
five-days training of trainers was organized in Dire Dawa (from 10-14 June 2014) for all IR2 technical
staffs on the method. The training focused on the methodological aspects and practical applications of the
SAA approach to addressing behavioral, attitudinal and socio-cultural barriers limits to adoption of climate
adaptive behaviors and practices. A total of 24 participants drawn from all the three clusters attended the
training.
SAA is a community conversation technique that includes both norm holders and other wider target
participants. The process allows stakeholders to deeply reflect on existing practices and social norms that
form an obstacle to communities achieving particular development goals. In PRIME, SAA will focus on
43
climate change adaptation. Key issues for discussion through the SAA methodology have been identified
in previous livelihood adaptation dialogues and may include the lack of savings culture, relations between
power and herd size, herd management and social dynamics such as women's decision-making power in the
household. Positive practices, such as rotational dry and wet season grazing and customary management of
water points, will be highlighted and promoted, with emphasis on their value for risk management. The
SAA dialogues will also delve into the social and cultural norms that determine acceptable behavior, and
how these norms establish restrictions on adaptive action by certain groups based on gender, age, disability
and/or ethnicity.
Support to Regional Early Warning System in Afar Region
Afar support to DPFSPCO
In this quarter, CARE Ethiopia/PRIME and the Disaster Prevention, and Food Security Programs
Coordination Office (DPFSPCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a broad workplan designed
to strengthen the regional early warning and disaster risk response system, and incorporate forecasting
information for disaster preparedness. DPFSCO has agreed to use the PRIME concept note system to
develop and identify key ativities, which will include the Region's engagement in and scale up of
Participatory Scenario Planning processes, facilitating information exchange and communication among
woreda, zone and regional counterparts, and stengthening aspects of the existing household economy
analysis based early warning system, according to priorities identified by the Region and not supported by
other partners operational in the area, including PCDP and UNICEF.
Early in the next quarter, PRIME will support a a consultative meeting to strengthen the current community
based early warning system and its linkages with the region.
Somali EWS Progress Update
PRIME is funding the Regional Somali Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Bureau (DPPB) thorugh a
sub-grant to support its Household Economy Analysis (HEA)-based early warning system. Through
PRIME's financial support DPPB conducted three assessments around local emergencies to mobilize
response. This included the storms in Kebredihar, flash flood in Shilaabo, and a locust outbreak in some
woredas in the north. In addition, DPPB continued its monthly food security and ealry warning data
gathering and production of related bulletins.
Also in this quarter, PRIME worked with the DPPB to establish a schedule for updating the Household
Economy Analysis baseline. It was agreed that DPPB would submit a separate proposal on updating the
baseline based on comments from PRIME, and the proposal would be used as a grant modification.
PRIME would contract out the Food Economy Group (Food Economy Group) directly to support in
training members of DPPB that would run the baseline updating process, as well as support in updating the
data collection sheets. PRIME is finalzing details regarding the process with USAID and FEG, and based
on the agreement, may move forward with grant modification in the upcoming quarter.
Enhancing access to water through water point rehabilitation and development
Haro Bake Microdam - Yabello: Southern cluster:
Bake microdam is a water reservoir supporting pastoralists of Borana area including those bordering from
Kenya. It serves 15,000 HH from Yabello as well as surrounding woredas. The existing capacity of the
44
dam is 1.5 million m3 but the structural functionality of the dam, and therefore the service it provides is
under threat. PRIME's initiative would expand the dam to hold 1.6 million m3, as well as preserve its
funtionality for another 20 years.
Figure 7: Topographic assessment of Haro beke catchment area
Technical assessment of the dam has indicated that the dam is under pressure because of its deteriorated
structures and long-term sediment deposited from the catchment draining to the water point. A
comprehensive assessment has been conducted by both PRIME and government bodies. The findings of
the PRIME engineer regarding the condition of the dam and the situation have been presented to all
government and community stakeholders, and the design has been jointly agreed. Construction and
rehabilitation of spillways, stabilizing works, expansion of the reservoir area are the core components
designed to upgrade the dam. Bid documents for contracting the civil engineering work were prepared and
the bid was announced at the end of the quarter. It is expected that the contractor will begin work early in
the upcoming quarter, and that civil engineering work related to the dam will be completed by the end of
Quarter 8. In addition to the civil engineering work, watershed management of the catchment area
draining to the dam has been emphasized with the elders council, or dheda, of the rangeland, and is also
being synchronized with the government's watershed management plans. Watershed management activities
are to be undertaken in the upcoming quarter.
Birkile Pond, Mullu - Eastern cluster
Berkile is a new pond designed jointly with the local community to balance the resource condition in wet
and dry season rangeland in Mulu rangeland unit. The pond construction is already started with PRIME‘s
machine mobilized and involvement of local community in clearing access roads. Its planned capacity is
designed for 7,000 m3 and it is expected to serve 1,300 HHs in Mullu Rangeland system. The total
excavation work volume from PRIME is calculated at 7,776 m3 and the embankment work, including fill
and compaction is estimated at 7,583 m2. 15% of the work volume on both the excavation and
embankment has been accomplished in this quarter.
Fatuma Delaytu pond, Gewane-Gelallo, Afar Cluster
The Fatuma Delaytu pond will serve community members from Gewane-Gelallo rangeland system.
Bunketo-Molalle sub-rangeland unit near their dry season grazing operates at a total capacity of 7,000 m3.
45
It is expected to serve 1,000 HH in Gewane Gelallo rangeland system, Bunketo-Mollale sub-rangeland unit.
PRIME's work completed has included removal of 1,117.5 m3 of silt. A water regulating structure is also
under procurement process whose implementation shall commence soon.
Supporting community prosopis removal efforts with new technologies in Afar
In this quarter, 210 hectares of prosopis were cleared across three rangeland systems and their
corresponding sub-units in Afar Region, including Dudub grazing land from Awash Fentale; Bunketo-
Mollale rangeland units from Gewane-Gelealo; and Arba, Halaydege, and Andido grazing lands from
Amibara. The 210 hectares of land cleared mark the piloting of the bulldozer as a technique for prosopis
clearing. The mechanized clearing was accompanied by community participation as described below.
Clearing of sites was preceded by through multi-stakeholder consultations in each rangeland system around
priority sites for clearing. This included rangeland councils, government, women and youth
representatives. Prior to each clearing exercise, respective community members from each of the six
rangeland sub-units had a two-day orientation on the role of the clearing rangeland management, clearing
techniques and safety procedures during clearing. During the six trainings, which took place in each of the
six rangeland units, participants also delineated their roles and responsibilities during clearing. A total of
383 participants from across the three rangeland systems and six rangeland sub-units, including 289 men
and 94 women, participated.
410 community members (165 female and 245 men) participated in the clearing alongside the bulldozer,
which included the removal of small and sparsely populated stands, uprooting and burning remaining roots
and stems of prosopis cleared by the loader, and in some cases fencing the area to allow it to rest and
rehabilitate. The woreda PADO supported the activity by assigning a focal person for the NRM activities,
providing technical support and following up the day to day implementation of the activity. PRIME
provided hand tools and refreshments.
46
Bulldozer clearing of prosopis on selected sites.
Of the 210 hectares of land cleared, 55 ha in Gewane-Gelealo, 135 ha in Amibara, and 20 ha in Awash
Fentale rangeland systems. The approach has been deemed successful, and PRIME will further examine
how the prosopis can be used productively, and work on rangeland management plans following the
clearing.
Competitive grant for prosopis removal
In this quarter 17 technical proposals were received and reviewed for the competitive grant for conducting
research on alternative technologies for clearing prosopis at scale. Potential institutions were shortlisted
and questions sent for clarification. A consortium of EIAR, SUST and ILRI was selected as the strongest
proposal. Given that the consortium is led by EIAR, a government institute, PRIME will seek approval
from USAID to fund the grant, and it is expected to be awarded in the upcoming quarter. The grant will
cover 18 months of research on the application of up to five new technologies for prosopis clearing in
community-selected sites.
2.4 Support Environmental Management of Reg 216
Prosopis clearing
Clearing of prosopis from potential range lands has continued in Afar cluster. As per the mitigation plan
identified for the activity, significant and useful species were marked to avoid damage by the machine;
controlled burning of cleared prosopis was permitted only in specific areas and at specific times. Fires
47
were extinguished prior to abandoning the sites. Land leveling is finally made to restore the site disturbed
during clearing. The local community is undertaking its part within a radius of work sufficient to protect
them from approaching the machine. In case of emergencies or any injury, the machines are well equipped
and operators are ready to give first aid on site on top of awareness creations made before the work starts.
Water point rehabilitations
As core part of the enhancement works, environment examinations are conducted to see the effects of the
proposed enhancement works. In a screen summary template prepared for this purpose, the likely impacts
of each proposed activities in respective clusters are evaluated to recommend the threshold decisions; the
proposed activities under development are found to be in the ‗negative determination with conditions’
category. As concentrated floods are being directed to reservoir areas, catchment water shed managements
are considered for each site under development as a follow-up activity to prevent soil erosion and
detachment.
Harobake micro dam rehabilitation
Materials to fill the weak sections of the dam will be excavated from environmentally appropriate
designated areas. Materials excavated from the reservoir area of the dam will be disposed to fill and
balance the open areas from where the selected materials are produced. For part of the subcontracted civil
works to local contractors, environmental issues are clearly addressed in the contract document and will be
monitored. Environmental protection office of the Zone is jointly working with PRIME team and elders‘
council of the rangeland in implementing and monitoring the environmental management actions. Flood
diversion dykes and stabilization works are designed to guide the excess flood spilled from the dam.
Details regarding environmental regulations for Barwako environmental regulations monitoring have been
included under the IIF section.
Challenges
On-going conflict situations have continued to stall activities, particularly in Southern Cluster and
related to Haramaya University, which were affected by conflict on the campus.
Erratic, unexpected rainfall patterns across Eastern and Southern Clusters have delayed water point
rehabilitation. Some water was found in the water points that were planned under rehabilitation, which
prevented the enforcement and expansion efforts. A number of critical water point rehabilitation
activities are planned for the upcoming quarter.
Dependence on centrally aggregated forecasts from the National Meteorological Agency for
Participatory Scenario Planning meant that communities do not have strong scientific forecast
information to inform the process. PRIME is still using the methodology to support communities to
think through uncertainties and possibilities of the upcoming seasons, considering the performance of
the previous season.
Lesson learned
Participatory Scenario Planning can benefit from integration with the government Early Warning
systems under the DPPB and DPFSCO structure and systems. PRIME has identified DPPB as the
appropriate structure under which to institutionalize Participatory Scenario Planning, while
strengthening the government early warning systems to be more inclusive of community structures.
48
PRIME has learned that government early warning committees can be much more effective if benefited
from linkages with key stakeholders in the community that have "live" access to critical information.
This includes rangeland council members with knowledge of pasture, water and mobility, Health
Extension Workers with knowledge of disease outbreak, community animal health workers with
knowledge of animal disease are among some of the key stakeholder groups who require representation
in the structure. PRIME is moving forward with strengthening this in the coming quarter.
Gada leaders, or the most senior leadership of the Borena, were deemed critical for engaging in
rangeland management planning, particularly around negotiating internal interests among diverse land
users in the rangeland unit, and negotiating community land rights with government. As the Gada are
the most respected and powerful leaders of the Borena and Guji, and are also important negotiators,
inclusion of this institution alongside the rangeland council, or dhedas, was successful in gaining
government support for the rangeland system approach to land use and management at a zone level.
PRIORITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER
2.1 Access to Science and Information
Capacity assessment to understand the capacity of local and regional meteorological
institutions/personnel and stations to downscale and provide localized and timely forecasts
Technical support for improving NMA forecasting methodology
Supporting strengthening regional EW information systems, including updating HEA baselines
Digitizing climate hazard exposure and disaster mapping of selected grazing systems, incorporating
the information into rangeland system planning
Digitizing and validating remaining rangeland systems under intervention
Completing layering additional land use and mobility data on maps
Facilitating participatory monitoring of early warning indicators/crisis triggers as part of participatory
scenario planning follow-up
Training on the "rangeland school" approach to rangeland management
Technical and logistical support to zonal/district early warning units for enhanced information
tracking, management and flow systems
Awarding grant on carbon stock baseline in selected rangeland sites
2.2 Enhanced Governance
Institutional strengthening through supporting the regular rangeland council review meetings and
consultation dialogues at all rangeland units of on-going intervention
Conducting rangeland council strengthening in new/recent units of intervention
Facilitating and hosting Regional Officials visits to Borana and Guji zones and respective rangeland
systems in support of building buy-in towards rangeland system level land administration
Providing the necessary follow-up support to the zone in implementing agreed upon plans for land
administration
Development of rangeland management plans in selected rangeland units across the three clusters
Strengthening community-level EW committees to be more inclusive of key community groups and
responsive to community information needs
Government international exchange visit on use of forecasting information in disaster preparedness
2.3 Implementing Solutions
49
Awarding prosopis grant and starting the actual trials of the prosopis removal technologies in Afar
Expansion of existing prosopis removal efforts
Implementation of civil engineering and watershed management activities in relation to Haro bake
pond
Building demand for improved, climate adaptive seed varieties, with particular focus on fodder
Completion of ten new rehabilitation initiatives, including water point rehabilitation and bush thinning
- particular focus on SRS
Application of new rangeland school technologies in selected rangeland systems, with focus on
prescribed fire and rotational grazing based on plan ecology
Application of SAA with respect to savings culture and herd management
Support and monitoring of the implementation of PSP advisories
Follow-up implementation support and monitoring of the dissemination and use of PSP advisories by
pastoral communities
INTERMEDIATE RESULT 3.0: STRENGTHENED ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS FOR
HOUSEHOLDS TRANSITIONING OUT OF PASTORALISM:
Key Result 3.1: TOPs employability increased through life skills, financial literacy and
entrepreneurship training
PRIME signed an agreement with Amasis for ‘HelloJob’ service and the service is launched
During the quarter, PRIME received a proposal (last quarter) from Amasis and Belecash to implement
Hellojobs/Hellosira service aimed at registering job seekers through the phone and online and providing
free access to prospective employee data for employers. PRIME and Amasis signed a FOG agreement in
June 2014. Following the agreement, Amasis completed software adjustment and the service was launched;
the phone and online service started registering job seekers on July 15, 2014. Amasis started hiring
operators and a minimum of six call center agents in Somali, Afar and Oromiya regions will be established
in the first year and the number will be adjusted based on need in the coming two years. The expected
impact of this activity is to register 30,000 profiles of job seekers in year 1 and eventually another 100,000
the two following years. One in eight registered job seekers are expected to obtain job through this system
during the one year agreement period.
Jobs created for youth: training in irrigation pump maintenance
PRIME carried out another round of trainings on pump
maintenance for ten semi-skilled youth and two
government members of staff in Moyal (Somali) and
Hudet Woreda. The trainings were facilitated and
conducted by technicians of Liben Woreda Irrigation
Department. After the training, PRIME provided the
maintenance toolkit for the ten trainees on a cost-sharing
basis enabling them to start offering a fee-based
maintenance service which has enabled them to recover
their startup costs and earn decent incomes. This round‘s
training brings the total number of trainees to 24 and that
created job opportunities for 21 youth in the areas. That
Hands-on training on motor-pump maintenance
50
means more than 500 farmers who have motor pump for irrigated agriculture now have access to timely
maintenance of their broken motor pumps at reasonable price.
TOT training on Private Service Provider (PSP) and Field Agent (FA) models of Village Saving and
Lending Associations (VSLA)
In order to improve the financial literacy of pastoralists, PRIME is pursuing the private service provider
model to form and expand VSLAs in the project operational areas. After twelve PRIME financial services
technical staffs trained as ToTs on Field Agent and Private Service Provider models during last quarter, the
trained ToTs are selected and rolled out the training for 45 new entrepreneurial PSPs in Southern and Afar
cluster. Then 40 of them qualified to provide the service through PRIME transitional support until they are
certified.
VSLA formation through the Provider Service Provider model
In the review period, the PRIME supported PSPs have started the formation and expansion of VSLAs
through the PSP model, a more cost effective and sustainable method to expand outreach in target
communities and provide the service. PSPs train VSLAs, for a fee, paid by the VSLAs, eliminating the
need for long-term external technical support. The main advantage of this approach is that new VSLAs
continue to be created (and supported) after a project has ended.
During the quarter, in southern cluster PSPs started forming VSLAs and the first 12 new VSLAs composed
of 220 (135 female and 85 male) members were established. In eastern cluster selection of PSPs is in
progress and the training for selected PSPs will be given in July. It is envisaged that these 40 trained PSPs
will continue forming VSLAs and providing training to members by the next quarter culminating in their
training 120 new VSLAs and revitalizing 35 existing VSLAs in all clusters by the end of this year.
Entrepreneurship, MIS development to One-Stop Centers/MSEs agency in the eastern cluster
During the quarter, PRIME and MSE agency of Jijiga and Degahabur signed a Fixed Obligation Grant
agreement and hired a consultant to establish MIS that help eight OSCs act as resource points where TOPs
go to get information on the labor market, employment and skills development. It is also expected that the
OSCs will provide ‗Creating Enterprises through Forming Entrepreneurs‘ (CEFE) training benefiting 5,000
TOPs. Consultant recruitment is progressing and once hired, it is expected that MIS development will be
completed in three months and the OSCs‘ performance will be improved.
Labor market assessment (LMA) conducted in all Clusters
During the quarter, PRIME commissioned labor market assessment (LMA) that was conducted in all
clusters. The objective of the LMA is to uncover the skills in demand by the job market as well as the
constraints and challenges that individuals (specifically individuals transitioning out of pastoralism) face as
they look for sustainable work. The PRIME LMA was built on previous studies undertaken by PRIME
including the TOP-focused employment and entrepreneurship market assessment (TEEMA) as well as
several value chain assessments during the start-up phase of the program. The LMA employed a blend of
qualitative and quantitative information to ensure that we are looking at the larger landscape for
livelihoods.
For the LMA 12 lead assessors from PRIME and Mercy Corps East and West Africa regional staffs and 15
local enumerators trained and undertook the assessment in respective clusters for two weeks. The
methodologies used are business survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
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Accordingly, 400 business surveys, 12 focus group discussions and around 30 key informant interviews
were conducted. The data collected are analyzed and report writing is about to be completed. In July, report
writing will be completed and shared internally and in August this will be shared widely.
Profiling of public and private TVETS in all PRIME operational areas
During the quarter, Haramaya University completed a profile of Technical and Vocational Education and
Trainings (TVETs) in all PRIME operational areas. Profiling these institutions is one of the principal steps
before making the decision for partnership; it is important to know the profile of these institutions in
PRIME intervention areas. Assessment and profiling were carried out on 18 TVETs and TVET equivalent
institutions operating in three clusters in Southern Oromiya (Borana and Guji Zone), Afar and Somali
pastoral areas.
The assessment depicted the nature of TVETs in various dimensions summarized in a database in Excel and a
descriptive report. The report used data reflecting the internal capacity of the institutions in terms of
manpower and physical infrastructure (Training facilities, laboratories, and demonstration rooms),
apprenticeship programs, curriculum or training packages the institutions host, and external aspects such as
admission requirements, the labor demand, collaboration with stakeholders, the challenges and future plans
of the institutions. The information collected will help develop TVET profile database and make an informed
decision for the screening of best TVETs to partner with to grant scholarship programs to selected TOP in
PRIME operational areas.
Assessed TVETs and Training Institutions by Towns/city where they are found
Town/city Number
Yabello 5
Moyale 2
Negele Borena 4
Awash 1
Gewane 1
Dire Dawa 1
Jijiga 3
Werer 1
Total 18
PRIME’s Short-term vocational scholarship program for TOPS underway
The main objective of PRIME‘s scholarship program for TOPs is to improve their life readiness through
short-term skill training that will assist them to secure stable employment or create self-employment after
requisite training. According to PRIME‘s labor market assessment, the majority of TOPs lack skill sets
demanded by employers. Therefore, PRIME partners in all clusters have identified short-term trainings
that can create job/business opportunities and make TOPs employable in the labor market. The selection of
TVETs and partners for the training and apprenticeship is completed.
During the quarter, PRIME finalized preparations to award scholarships for approximately 357 TOPs to
attend various short-term skill trainings in different selected TVETs in all clusters and from the beginning
of the next quarter candidates will start training that lasts 3-6 months. Types of vocational trainings for
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PRIME‘s short term vocational training scholarship program are electricity installation, cobbling,
machinery operator, driving, catering, and hair-dressing. These short-term vocational trainings are
identified during the labor market assessment because they have more demand from potential employers
and are also good for self-employment. PRIME‘s short-term vocational training program covers the full
tuition fee and apprenticeship cost and awardees will cover other costs such as their own transportation.
(Note: In Afar, the current round of scholarships is for machinery operators and drivers (based on highest
unmet demand from employers); therefore no women applied. In the next round of scholarships, ToPs
women will be specifically targeted.)
Number of candidates targeted for PRIME’s short-term scholarship program
Location Lead implementer # of potential candidates # of TVETs
identified Male Female Total
Afar cluster CARE & AISDA 152 0 152 3
Eastern
cluster
Mercy Corps 73 47 120 3
Southern
cluster
Mercy Corps & SOS
Sahel
42 43 85 2
Grand Total 267 90 357 8
Sharia compliant training for RuSACCO in the Eastern Cluster
Mercy Corps and ACPA are jointly facilitating training for RuSACCOs in Eastern Cluster. The objective of
this training is to improve rural financial service providers‘ core functions and develop sharia-compliant
products for members of RuSACCOs. Mercy Corps and ACPA are working with a woreda Cooperative
Promotion Agency staff to revitalize RuSACCOs in the Eastern Clusters to increase access to finance for
pastoralists and TOPs, while improving their financial literacy level. During the quarter, 457 members (405
female, 52 male) from 11 RuSACCOs were trained and the training will continue next quarter to train up to
1000 RuSACCOs members in the region.
Capacity Building Training for federal and regional cooperative agency
Village-level financial services—through RuSACCOs—are still not rolled out as widely as they could be,
preventing poor households from accessing savings and lending productions suited to their needs. This is
especially true with Muslim populations, which are underserved by RuSACCOs. In response to these gaps,
PRIME, AEMFI and Federal Cooperative Promotion Office organized and conducted a five-day training
for 32 experts on Sharia-compliant financial products for households. The main objective of the training
was to sensitize and train the federal and regional Cooperative Promotion Agency experts on inclusive
finance, particularly sharia- compliant products, policy and procedures pertaining to such financial
products. It is expected that the trained experts will cascade the training to their respective locations to
improve the quality of service and core functions of RuSACCOs in all regions particularly PRIME
intervention areas.
Key Result 3.2: Increased income opportunities for TOPs
Islamic/sharia compliant loan facilitation to livestock traders in Easter cluster
During the review period, PRIME continued providing technical and financial assistance to the Somali MFI
to rollout a Sharia-compliant loan product for livestock traders, the first of its kind in the region. SMFI has
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to date disbursed 5,000,000 ETB approximately 250,000 USD to 25 large and medium-sized livestock
traders in the region. The injection of this loan will enable traders to buy and export between 18,000-20,000
livestock from around 7500 households over a period of one year. SMFI is planning to roll out loans to
another 25 traders who are interested in the product after assessing the performance of this loan. Plans are
underway to sign an MOU with Oromiya MFI and Oromiya International bank to roll out the same product
to businesses and livestock traders in Borena and Guji zones of southern cluster in the next quarter.
Exposure visit to Sudan facilitated for MFI leaders, AEMFI and NBE representatives
During the quarter, PRIME facilitated exposure visit to
Sudan‘s National Bank and MFIs from May 19- 24, 2014.
Nine delegates from NBE, AEMFI and different MFIs
from PRIME operation areas traveled to Sudan to share
experience and best practices of Islamic finance.
The objective of the exposure visit was to build the
capacity of microfinance institutions, industry
association and policy makers through an exposure
visit by sharing the experiences of Sudan (Central
Bank and MFIs) which is a country with a good rating and
track record in implementing inclusive financial services
and different Islamic financial products at MFI level.
Therefore, the exposure visit is expected to help develop
more inclusive financial services like Sharia-compliant products that better serve the pastoralists and
businesses working in pastoral areas that are predominantly Muslim.
Financial market campaign to promote sharia compliance products in southern cluster:
During the quarter, PRIME facilitated a marketing campaign for an interest-free banking product of
Oromiya International Bank (OIB). The objective of the campaign was to promote this product among the
pastoral community such that they will open saving account and later will have access to credit from OIB.
During and after the campaign, around 283 individuals and cooperatives opened accounts in OIB and
started saving. The campaign will continue and until the reporting period as a result of this campaign the
branches of OIB mobilized saving of 4,453,385 ETB ($272,000) that can be used for lending to the savers
in demand.
OIB campaigning about their interest free product to individuals and business people
Delegates from Ethiopia holding meeting at central bank of Sudan
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Creation of a forum for formal and informal financial service providers to better understand and
respond to the financial service needs of TOPs and pastoralists in the southern cluster
To improve financial services for TOPs and pastoralists, PRIME facilitated the creation of a forum to create
linkages between micro finance institutions and rural saving and credit cooperatives in Liben Woreda of
Guji Zone. Representatives of ten RuSACCOs from Guji zone and leadership of Oromiya MFI and
SACCOs participated in the forum and discussed the financial service needs of pastoralists in the Zone. A
similar forum was conducted in Borena zone last quarter and as a result, around 400 members of
RuSACCOs opened saving accounts and saved 311,400 ETB ($16,000) at Oromiya MFI which will give
them access to credit in the short and long run.
ToT training for woreda Cooperative Promotion Agency staff During the quarter, PRIME and AEMFI provided a ToT training for woreda Cooperative Promotion
Agency staff. Next quarter, the agreement will be signed and 72 experts from operational woredas will be
trained. The ToTs will then cascade, to revitalize existing and form new RuSACCOs. It is also expected to
improve the management practice and coverage of rural finance activities in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia.
Technical and financial support for establishment of Afar MFI (AMFI)
During the reporting period, PRIME continued its support for the establishment modalities of Afar MFI. A
key requirement for the MFI to get license from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is to hire a competent
general manager and revise its business plan. In response to a request from AEMFI and AMFI, for the first
year, PRIME will cost share the salary of the general manager and the general manger is hired thereby the
recruitment is accepted by NBE. The NBE provisionally approved the establishment of the Afar MFI and
soon it will receive its license and will start operating in the region. PRIME will continue providing
technical support during its setup and startup stage until it becomes fully functional.
PRIME provided assistance to Rays MFI and received its license from NBE to start operation
PRIME provided technical assistance to establish Rays MFI (RMFI) and National Bank of Ethiopia has
given the permit and license to start operations in Somali region. RMFI is a fully private owned company
and shareholders have desire to play a better role towards improving the financial service provision in rural
and urban population in the region. Rays established its head office in Addis Ababa and will open nine
branches in the cities of Ethiopian Somali National Regional State (Jijiga, Gode, Kabri-Dahar, Dagahbour,
Fik, Warder, Filtu, Shinile and Hargele) and Dire Dawa. Rays has now submitted a proposal to PRIME for
support on establishing core business systems of the MFI and the proposal will be reviewed in the next
quarter.
Micro-franchise business for women to create income streams
Micro-franchising is a methodology designed to allow less
experienced individuals build on the experience of a successful
business model or product. Micro-franchisers essentially work as
distributors for an existing, well-known product. The objective of
this activity is to create employment opportunities for up to 300
women through the micro-franchising of consumable goods.
During the last quarter, wholesalers and distributors who had
potential to be micro-franchise partners was completed. In the
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coming quarter, PRIME will undertake the selection of beneficiaries and business startup activities will
begin.
Cost sharing grant for poultry input supplier expansion in Jijiga
The objective of the cost-sharing grant is to expand poultry input and feed supply in the agro-pastoralist
communities and for people transitioning out of pastoralism in the region. Friends Poultry Farm from Jijiga
has submitted its proposal for funding to PRIME. The proposal has been reviewed and accepted for a grant
and ACPA is facilitating the signing of an FOG agreement and advance modalities are due to be completed
in the next quarter. After the agreement Friends Poultry Farm will commence expanding their business.
Job fair organized in southern cluster
Mercy Corps and SOS Sahel in collaboration with Guji zone government offices (especially Labor and
Social affairs and Youth and Sport Offices) organized a job fair in Negelle Borana town on June 12, 2014
attended by job seekers (TOPs), potential employers and employment placement agencies (EPAs). The job
fair included a panel discussion designed to explore opportunities and discuss the challenges in the labor
market system. Twenty potential employers, 6 EPAs and 68 job seekers (TOPs) attended the job fair and
actively participated in the panel discussion. The discussion during the job-fair and panel discussion created
awareness about integrating TOPs in the labor market and provided opportunities for TOPs to look for jobs
and information about how to search for jobs. Three entrepreneurs with disability who are engaged in petty
trade participated and received certificate and award from the organizers of the event.
National Women’s Entrepreneurs trade fair
The 8th National Women Entrepreneurs trade fair was held in
Jijiga, Somali Region from June 11 to 24, 2014. PRIME
contributed financially and technically to organize the trade fair.
Twenty six businesses with different products from 6 regions
(Tigray, Amhara, SNNPR, Dire Dawa, Oromiya and Somali)
participated. First Lady W/ro Roman Tesfaye and W/ro Zenebu
Tadesse (Minister of the Minsitry of Women, Children and Youth
Affairs) officially launched the event. The regional women‘s
association raised ETB 155,000 through sale of entry tickets and
rent of business stalls, while businesses (9 WTAs and 17 private
businesses) sold over ETB 3,205,000 worth of goods. 132
(47F/85M) people were employed temporarily and earned around ETB 230,000.00. Over 250 linkages with
potential business relations/interests were discussed.
Key Result 3.3: Market Access Expanded to Increase Employment Opportunities
SMFI- Belcash mobile and agent banking project in Eastern cluster
SMFI presented and defended its proposal for a mobile banking pilot to NBE. The NBE has accepted the
pilot of mobile banking pending the approval until the Prime Minister‘s office gives a letter for data storage
at the national data center. Meanwhile, Belcash has started providing training to SMFI officers at the main
and branch offices and training for agents will be undertaken once they get approval from the NBE.
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Afar zonal trade fair; official opening and inputs and micro-solar lantern suppliers displaying and selling products
Yabello trade fair; financial institutions inputs and micro-solar lantern suppliers displaying and selling products
Zonal level agricultural trade fair in southern and Afar cluster
As presented in the section under IR1, PRIME partners CARE, AISDA, SOS and Mercy Corps IR1, IR3,
IR4 and IR5 team helped organize the trade fair for two days in each zone. In the trade fair PRIME
introduced a voucher scheme for beneficiaries to buy and use inputs at a discounted price. The voucher
scheme is meant to stimulate demand for new technologies and agricultural inputs. At the same time, the
trade fair helped agricultural inputs and micro-solar suppliers to conduct actual market research.
During the Afar and Borena trade fairs, more than 1200 PRIME beneficiaries bought inputs and
technologies such as micro-solar lanterns, seeds, animal feed and machinery. Three commercial and private
banks and one MFI also participated in the events by promoting their products, including opening saving
accounts at a temporary window opened at the trade fair. More than 5000 people visited the event, which
helped them become aware of different inputs and meet businesses that supply agricultural inputs and
different technologies, and learn about financial institutions and their products. During the trade fair, a
competition for ―Best Borena Breed‖ was held and the best livestock exhibitors were awarded. To
encourage people with disabilities who run small businesses, an award was given in front of hundreds of
visitors and businesses.
District level agricultural trade fair in Eastern cluster
Mercy Corps and ACPA also organized trade fairs in Awbere and Degahabur woredas of SRS, and regional
and local input suppliers displayed and sold their products to more than 600 farmers and agro-pastoralists.
To create demand for inputs, PRIME has introduced voucher scheme such that beneficiaries are able to by
seeds, water harvesting technologies, postharvest storage bags and different farm tools and irrigation
equipment at a discounted price. The demand created through these trade fairs gave input suppliers an
opportunity to better understand their market and potentially expand their business to those locations.
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Competitive cost sharing grant for business expansion to regional agricultural input suppliers and
micro-solar distributors
PRIME received proposals from interested agricultural input suppliers and micro solar distributors to
expand their business to pastoral areas. During the quarter, the proposals were reviewed and successful
proposals were selected and began pre-award assessments. The technical and financial compliance teams
have thoroughly conducted the due diligence and finally selected eight agricultural input supply and five
micro solar-distribution proposals for award. Accordingly, as summarized in the below table, five of the
awardees have signed FOG agreements and the remaining are set to sign agreements shortly. These
expansions will create jobs and improve beneficiaries‘ access to inputs and new technology.
Status of business expansion FOG agreement in Eastern and Southern cluster
Exchange visit to Haramaya University integrated seed system development (ISSD) project
Quality seed of improved early maturing varieties hold the key to enhancing agricultural productivity and
increasing agro pastoralists‘ capacities to adapt to a changing climate. However, the availability of, access
to, and use of such improved seeds in agro pastoral areas is quite low, mainly due to a lack of sales outlets
in the seed supply system in the pastoralist areas. Cognizant of this fact, PRIME facilitated an experience
sharing visit to Haramaya University integrated seed system development (ISSD) local seed business
project for agro pastoralists and staffs of Jijiga University and Somali Seed enterprise to set up similar
initiatives in agro pastoral areas of the eastern cluster. Following the visit, Jijiga University is working on
proposal and once it is completed PRIME will support the initiative of the university to set up localized
seed businesses. Implementation of this activity will enhance HHs access to quality early maturing crop
seeds and create alternative income for groups involved in the business.
Forum for vegetables market system actors facilitated
In Guji Zone, agro-pastoralists that produce vegetables using irrigation water have been facing a market
problem for their produce. In response to this, PRIME IR3 team partnered with local government offices
facilitate a market linkages between major actors of the vegetable market in the area. As a result of the
activities, major producers and buyers discussed output market information during the harvesting season, as
well as aggregation and logistics. Producers now know the buyers of their producers and how to contact
them to arrange transactions before vegetables begin to degrade.
Sub-
Sector/Activity
# of
businesses
targeted
FOG
agreement
Status
Location Business expansion
status
Agric input
supply business
expansion
3 Signed Eastern cluster Expansion started
2 In process Eastern cluster Expansion will start
early next quarter
3 In process Southern cluster Expansion will start
early next quarter
Micro-Solar
supply business
expansion
1 Signed Eastern cluster Expansion started
1 signed Eastern cluster Expansion started
3 In process Southern cluster Expansion will start
early next quarter
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Support for postharvest storage bag business expansion
Promotion of Postharvest Grain Storage Bag (PSB) technology has been identified as a climate change
adaptation strategies able to build households‘ resilience. PRIME has started working with existing PSB
manufacturers to scale up the pilot activities. The manufacturer is putting forward a proposal to scale-up
and expand the businesses to other areas.
Constraints, challenges and lessons learned for IR3
The key challenge IR3 is facing is caused by the approval delays from the National Bank of Ethiopia for
the mobile banking project. Although approval had been given at the time of project signing in November
2013, shortly thereafter approval was rescinded for all projects of that nature, nation-wide. This was due to
some members of the NBE holding the opinion that this type of project allowed foreigners to become
involved in financial services, which is not allowed under Ethiopian Law. While the NBE Board debated
the issue, no mobile banking projects moved forward.
Eventually the Board came up with a compromise solution – technology platform providers are required to
sell their technology to the partnering financial institution within 5 years. We began moving forward our
mobile banking project again, but we await a final letter on data storage from the President‘s Office to fully
begin the pilot. Training and other allowable activities have started, but no product testing or rollout can be
done without this final letter.
However this delay has directly impacted PRIME‘s job creation indicator, and the financial services
indicator, as these are both major outputs of the SMFI-Belcash agreement.
Priorities for Next Quarter
3.1: TOPs employability increased through life skills, financial literacy and entrepreneurship training
Facilitation of market based emergency response through fodder voucher
Facilitation of availability and access to emergency and recovery loans during destocking
Facilitation and assistance to new and existing MFIs to expand their service and develop inclusive
financial products
Linkage and loan facilitation with MFI/Banks for business like PVP, SMEs, Solar business, and
disabled groups
Financial Literacy and numeracy training via PSP model to RuSSACOs/VSLAs
3.2: Increased income opportunities for TOPs
Continue facilitation of zonal and district trade fair
Business expansion grant for agricultural inputs, solar technology, PSB, poultry, fodder, and aloe
soap
Identifying opportunity and work with institutions that support establishment of seed (crop and
fodder) businesses
Facilitation of investment forums
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3.3: Market Access Expanded to Increase Employment Opportunities
Awarding short term vocational scholarship program for youth, women and disabled TOPs in all
clusters
Micro-franchising business opportunity for women and disabled TOPs
Financial and technical assistance to institutions such as TVETs and OSC to provide literacy and
numeracy trainings
Exposure visits to areas where TOPs obtain best experience on climate change adaptive alternative
livelihoods
Facilitating apprenticeship opportunities for TOPs
INTERMEDIATE RESULT 4: ENHANCED INNOVATION, LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
Key result 4.1: Project performance enhanced through effective monitoring
Management Information System for PRIME: Ki-projects™ & Ki- metrics™
Ki-projects™
The beta version of Ki-projects™ was successfully rolled-out through on the job training for 98 PRIME
consortium member staff located in all three operational clusters and Addis Ababa. The training
accomplished several objectives including:
Systems performance testing under conditions of intermittent power outage,
Systems performance testing when accessed using EVDO (mobile) internet devices,
End-user feedback on quality of user experience; and
Identification of design features of Sub-Activity Concept Note (SACN) and Sub-Activity Reports
(SA-R) needing enhancements
The training sessions confirmed Ki-projects™ capacity to perform under varying conditions of
infrastructure support and user feedback converged towards overall systems user-friendliness. The few
minor and optional changes which were recommended to further enhance certain features of Ki-projects™,
SACN and SA-R were addressed during and immediately after the completion of the training sessions.
As a result of the successful outcome of the training roll-out sessions, PRIME has officially started using
Ki-projects™ for project activity initiation, approval and reporting. Data entry of backlogs from existing
SACN and SA-R has started as well and will be completed during the next quarter.
Ki-metrics™
Ki-metrics™ was introduced to first-time users during the quarter under review. This additional tool
generates quantitative analysis of output and outcome level indicators using mathematical algorithms. Ki-
metrics™ will continue to be directly administered by Kimetrica and access and management of Ki-
metrics™ will be limited to PRIME Learning and Knowledge Management advisors and senior managers
only. Ki-metrics™ now hosts PRIME‘s performance data and has provided most of the quantitative
analysis for the quarterly report alongside output tracking sheets which will continue to be used until Ki-
projectsTM
and Ki-metricsTM
data entering is completed.
PRIME participated in the AIDTracker+ training which will replace the FTFMS information system by Q8.
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Spot Check methodology roll-out
Spot checks provide PRIME with an additional layer of random project performance monitoring and
control. The tool is comprised of five components including Data Quality Assessment (DQA), Consortium
Partner Compliance (CPC), partner service quality feedback, best practices and partner portfolio planning.
Spot checks target both consortium and market facilitation partners and use secondary data found in Sub-
Activity reports, interviews with project teams and external stakeholders and site visits.
Kimetrica tested the methodology with consortium partners HAVOYOCO and ACPA and proved useful in
informing management on strengths and weaknesses in data quality and related management procedures
and giving feedback on partner perceptions of the quality of their relationships with consortium leadership.
The main findings include:
Consortium partner overall satisfaction with current PRIME information management tools and
feedback mechanisms,
Consistent use of Sub-Activity Concept Notes and Sub-Activity reports by all program staff for
activity initiation and reporting,
Overall level of satisfaction among project participants on PRIME‘s responsiveness to their needs,
including clear efforts to integrate their priorities into activities,
Additional guidance needs to be provided to staff to ensure higher quality data and management
procedures are in place and variances are minimized; and
Partner activity portfolio planning capacity needs to be strengthened in order to promote greater
alignment with PRIME‘s financial and program target objectives.
The spot check findings have been shared with all consortium members and remedial measures are
underway to strengthen areas requirement improvement. Spot checks will be administered quarterly across
PRIME operational areas.
Baseline report
Kimetrica finalized the baseline report, which provides descriptive and quantitative analysis on key
knowledge areas of interest to PRIME in support of program decision-making and performance monitoring
and measurement efforts. The analysis is disaggregated by wealth quartile, region and gender and the result
of a quantitative survey administered with 1,095 households located in the dry lands of Afar, Oromiya and
Somali regions of Ethiopia. The main findings are summarized per the following thematic areas.
Household characteristics
Average Household size increases with wealth for all three areas, and female headed households make
up the majority of lower-wealth quartiles across all regions, peaking at 50 percent in Oromiya.
Livestock Productivity
Livestock ownership correlates with wealth and the types and species owned vary by region. Somali
region has the highest livestock holding across all wealth quartiles (WQ), while in Afar and Oromiya
more than 60 percent among lower wealth quartiles do not own herds.
Herd growth appears positive in Somali and Oromiya regions, but negative in Afar. Almost all
households rely on pasture as their main source of animal feed, however, access to pasture increases
with wealth.
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Livestock sales correlate with wealth, with the exception of small ruminants mostly marketed by lower
WQ to meet their subsistence needs. Milk is the main by-product sold and sales of hides and skin is
limited across all regions.
Household wealth status
Household expenditure increases with wealth and Afar records the highest food-related expenditures
at 65%.
Alternative sources of income are mostly sought after by poorer households and correlates with
livestock ownership levels.
In Somali and Afar regions, households across all WQ benefit from some form of remittances and
transfers, but these drop to only 15% in Oromiya.
Uptake of financial services is low across all regions as well as savings. Loan amounts are less than
USD 50 with Somali region recording the highest access level at 34% of households.
Support systems
In addition to existing traditional social and economic support systems, Community Animal Health
Workers followed by veterinary stores are the most commonly accessed services across all regions.
Overall human health service coverage is very low across all regions and shows no correlation with
wealth.
Access to information is poorest in Afar and mostly conveyed through traditional leaders in Somali
region.
Knowledge and decision-making
Women remain central to household decisions related to nutrition and milk management.
Economic decisions are typically made by men, with some evidence of joint decision-making across
the regions, most notably in the Oromiya Region.
Nutrition
Dietary diversity is lowest in Afar among all WQs, especially for pregnant and lactating women and
children. Dietary diversity in Somali and Oromiya appear to be medium. However, further investigation
is needed to better qualify household level characteristics of dietary diversity taking into account
seasonality and quality of diversity.
Breastfeeding is high across all wealth groups and regions with more than 97 percent of households
with children under the age of two reporting that they breastfeed their children.
Vulnerability and Resilience
Food price inflation was the biggest shock in both the Afar and Oromiya regions, while drought was
the biggest shock in the Somali Region.
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Households in Afar and Oromiya are still recovering from previous shocks, though very few in Somali
region lost their herds entirely.
Higher income households across all regions have a higher tendency to choose livestock-related
solutions to changes in pasture and climate.
Nearly all households in the study regions have a low CSI, indicating that they are currently food
secure.
In addition, a revised M&E plan was submitted to USAID. It is currently under review from USAID and
PRIME to ensure harmonization of targets. We envision the M&E plan will be finalized during Q8 of the
project.
PRIME-wide Review Meeting
ACPA will organize the PRIME consortium partners‘ bi-annual review meeting to take place in Dire Dawa
during Q8 of the project.
Key result 4.2: Project decision making and adaptations based on strong evidence
Annual survey methodology
The annual survey methodology will be implemented during the upcoming quarter. In preparation for this
deliverable, during Q7 initial consultations on the survey objectives and approach have taken place within
the PRIME IR4 team. The results of the survey will advise PRIME on progress in achieving planned targets
taking into account baseline values as well as capture information now required by Feed the Future
indicators and selected custom indicators where needed and feasible. Ki-metrics will be the primary host
and data processing center.
SenseMaker
With matching funds, PRIME is testing the SenseMaker application to measure and monitor attitudes and
behavior change for its nutrition work in all clusters. PRIME staff were trained in collecting stories and
information from impact beneficiaries to have a baseline of attitudes related to nutrition. Data was collected
and a preliminary analysis was finalized during the quarter. The full data set will be used in the final
analysis and continuous story collection will take place during Q8. The results of this test will help inform
PRIME as to whether SenseMaker is an appropriate application to use for monitoring changes in nutrition
attitudes and behaviors in PRIME areas.
Key result 4.3: Policy information base strengthened
Milk Quality Analysis
This study aims at identifying the milk quality problems, existing methods for quality analysis, testing
methods, procedures and practices traders can use with affordable price and documenting simple, cost-
effective and equipment that can be used on spot. The research is conducted in Afar and Eastern Cluster
and 95% of the research is completed. Interview and laboratory analysis is completed in both clusters and
field-level milk testing is completed in Afar Cluster.
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Market Research on Existing Insurance Products and Study of Best Practices/Lessons Learned
The assessment has been going on in two phases: the first preliminary case study and the questionnaire
based survey. In the case study phase, the insurance companies, micro-finance institutions and NGOs
supporting the micro-insurance products have been assessed. Some of the existing practices on micro-
insurance products on Borana pastoralists and farmers in northern part of Ethiopia have been documented.
This part of the report is at its final stage. The survey to pastoralists regarding their willingness to buy
insurance products has been also conducted in Afar (55) and eastern cluster (67). In total the survey has 122
sampled pastoralist respondents. The survey covered 4 woredas (Kebriebeyah, Awbare, Gursum, and Tuli
gulied) in eastern cluster and 3 woredas (Awash Fentale, Gewane and Dulecha) in Afar cluster. The data
entry and analysis is almost complete for the survey part as well and the final report will be ready in the
beginning of August.
Consultative Discussion with Regional Research Institutions
This is research conducted with the purpose of identifying the capacities of regional research institutions
and the way by which they could work with PRIME. Discussion with relevant officials of regional research
institutions and questionnaires were used to gather information. The research was conducted in the three
regions that cover a total of eight (8) institutions. These are Bule Hora University, Semera University, Jijiga
University, Yabello Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Research Center of the Oromiya Agricultural Institute,
Awash Melkasa Agricutural Research Center (MARC), Afar Region Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Research
Institute (APARI), Somali Region Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Research Institute (SOPARI) and Yabello
Veterinary Laboratory. The data are collected through the discussion held with relevant institutions and
partnership assessment tools. The research team is now analyzing the data and the report will be completed
this month.
Policy Research on Cross-Border Trade
The concept note on cross-border trade research was approved in May. The research is aimed at:
identifying the laws and institutions that govern the conduct of cross-border trade relevant to the
productions and demands of the pastoral communities (these include import-export regulations, monetary
regulations-especially with respect to currency used in cross-border trade, availability of custom duty posts,
animal health institutions, quality control, infrastructure etc), examining the actual and potential legal,
institutional, economic and political obstacles for cross-border trade and relationship between cross-border
trade and resiliency of pastoralists in PRIME operational areas, investigating the modalities of transactions
taking place across borders in PRIME operational areas (Afar-Djibouti, Ethiopian Somali-Djibouti,
Ethiopian Somali- Somalia, Ethiopian Somali-Somaliland, Borana-Kenya), identifying the key actors in
cross-border trade. According to the findings of the research available best alternatives for intervention in
the expansion and increase of cross-border trade in livestock and livestock products, animal feed and other
food items will be recommended.
Currently, the multi-disciplinary team established to conduct this study is working on literature review and
development of research tools. Field assessment will take place starting from the late July.
Policy Information Gap Analysis
This research is finalized and the policy analyses on various sectors (natural resource management-land,
water and forest, climate change and disaster prevention, energy, livestock marketing, micro and small
enterprises and entrepreneurship, and technical and vocational education and training) are compiled in a
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single document. Thirty federal and regional government institutions are interviewed for key informant
interviewing and/or for collection of policy and legal documents.
Key result 4.4: Information dissemination and coordination improved
External communication and coordination
In an effort to continue coordination with other USAID projects in Ethiopia, PRIME is working closely
with LMD in formulating policy recommendations in the areas of livestock and how these relate to markets
and nutrition. A coordinated response for the New Alliance policy commitments was drafted together by
the LMD and PRIME COPs, including the following recommendations:
Clarification on opportunities for public-private partnerships for infrastructure
Privatization of animal health services and its implications
Leasing proclamation for access to finance clarifications
Feed and fodder issues
Traceability
Access to land
Fortification of foodstuffs
In addition, PRIME has met with the AKLDP project to link resources that can help PRIME in writing of
learning briefs, collaboration in the organization of a ‗feed matters‘ learning event, and presentation of the
livestock proclamation to multi-stakeholder groups in Somali Regional State – all which will be worked on
during Q8.
A final draft of the PRIME communications plan was revised during Q6 and will be shared among key
PRIME consortium partner representatives to get their comments and suggestions before launching it and
sharing with the wider PRIME community. In addition, PRIME one-pagers have been reviewed to tailor
them to wider audiences and will be re-designed (format) during Q8. Weekly updates for consortium
members, USAID and other partners continue as planned.
Internal communication and coordination
A quarterly LKM workshop took place in June 2014 to orient new LKM (IR4) staff who had recently been
hired in Afar and Addis Ababa. The next LKM workshop will take place in August/September and will
focus on FTF indicators.
Key result 4.5: Two-way communication channels strengthened
Monthly cluster coordination meetings (monthly) and partners‘ management meetings continued during the
quarter. Cluster coordination meetings will be revised in terms of objectives to ensure these include
strategic planning at the cluster level, as well as reflection sessions with the different technical teams to
continue high quality programming.
IR4 PRIORITIES FOR Q8
Development of monitoring and evaluation guidelines to be rolled out along new reporting format
training and on-going ki-projects/metrics training
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Spot checks for partners and DQA (methodology for recipients)
Organization of learning event with AKLDP project
Assessment and improvement of community scorecard as a way to communicate with PRIME
beneficiaries
INTERMEDIATE RESULT 5.0: USE OF NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS
Key result 5.1 Knowledge, Awareness and Practices around Household Nutrition
Improved Counseling & Community Support
ENA TOT Training for health workers
A three-day ToT training on Essential Nutrition Actions (ENA) was conducted for the second time in all
three regions. As was reported in the last quarter, PRIME nutrition team conducted a rapid assessment to
explore the existing counseling services at health facility and community level. The assessment found that
generally, health workers are not providing proper counseling on maternal/child nutrition. In addition,
health facilities lack ENA BCC materials such as posters with key messages, critical contact point care, and
a quick reference for health workers and community volunteers to be used for nutrition counseling. Even
when other non-nutrition health messages were available, they were not contextualized in terms of local
language and images. In this quarter, PRIME continued to capacitate health facilities through health
extension workers training on ENA, with the intention of further cascading the trainings to community
groups. A Total 115 health workers and HEWs attended the training. The training deployed participatory
methodology, as a result, there was high level of participation especially when participants discussed
existing nutrition practices and challenges faced by the health workers.
ENA ToT training in Afar
Cascading ENA training to the community level
Following the ENA ToTs, the trainings were further cascaded to the kebele-level through the trained health
workers. A total of 1250 community members were reached. Individuals or community group members
targeted for community training include: community level health volunteers (such as Traditional Birth
Attendants (TBAs), malaria women agents), influential women, members from health committee, women
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development army group leaders, pregnant and lactating women. The main purpose of cascading the
training was to provide orientation on key ENA messages for target groups to improve counseling through
community support group. This is meant for the messages to further penetrate into the community and
possibly improve demand for health services by the primary beneficiaries of PRIME nutrition: pregnant,
lactating women and children under 5 years. In order, to ensure the quality of the training, PRIME staff
and woreda-level health supervisors monitored all training at kebele-level. Facilitators were provided with
all necessary materials required for cascading the trainings during the ToT training. Additionally, ENA
booklet, translated to Somali, Afan Oromo and Afar local languages were provided to the trainers
beforehand.
Community level ENA Cascade training
Women to women peer-guided nutrition counseling group organized
Women to women peer-guided counseling groups are a platform for pregnant and lactating women to
discuss and support each other on nutrition related issues. Each group has a group leader, who previously
participated in the community-level ENA training and received training in counseling techniques for
pregnant and lactating women. The main role of a group leader is to facilitate the women gathering and
support women to women peer-guided counseling discussion using an open-minded, supportive & non-
judgmental communication processes. Facilitators role is also to support mothers to overcome their own
barriers & find their motivations for change, while providing technical input/guidiance on misconceptions
around nutrition.
Based on this concept, PRIME nutrition organized twenty women to women peer-guided counseling group
in 6 woredas (Awash Fentale, Gewane, Amibera, Gelealo, Argoba, & Dulessa) of Afar cluster. In each
woreda, three to four groups were organized with a plan to scale up to the other kebeles in the woreda.
Each group has a member of 20 women who share similar issues.
The established women to women peer-guided counseling groups will discuss different essential nutrition
accions every week, for consecutive 8 weeks, based on the ENA session guideline and later advance the
discussion to other nutrition concepts/topics such as the 1000 days and IYCF. The group will also
deliberate on the SOSC radio series as part of listener group discussions.
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Training in Food Utilization
Assessing Indigenous Nutrition Food
During the quarter, PRIME nutrition teams of Eastern and Afar clusters finalized the data entry and
analysis of the indigenous nutrition food assessments.
The main purpose of the assessment was to identify locally available foods, and determine the food groups
that are locally produced and those that are imported, and their cost comparison. The assessment also
explored practices on food preparation in the communities of the Eastern Cluster i.e. Fafen, Sitti and Jarar
zones and Afar cluster of Zone 3.
The following are the preliminary key findings of the assessment:
There is a significant difference between rural and urban communities in market access, as urban
communities get direct access to markets. This is a barrier/challenge to rural communities to get the
food they need, when they need it.
The different food types available in each area have also been identified. This is key to developing a
diet diversity strategy for PRIME beneficiaries.
The assessment also identified pregnant/lactating mothers and children under 5 have low diet
diversity.
On the food availability in the market: The market is growing and is more or less competitive. However,
the supply of food was being disrupted in some areas, leading to shortages and price hikes.
Cooking demonstrations
During the quarter, PRIME Nutrition team conducted cooking demonstrations as part of the trade fairs in
Afar and South clusters. The purpose of the cooking demonstrations are to provide knowledge and skills on
preparing a nutritious and improved diet for pastoralist and agro-pastoralists.
An estimated total of 4000 community members attended the demonstration shows. A private local supplier of
fortified flour was also invited to the trade fair to display their products and demonstrate ways of using the flour
in cooking. The local supplier provided diversified flour-based foods for childrens‘ complementary feeding,
made from local food like Mofe in Afar and Porridge for Borana.
Cooking Demonstration at Yabello Fortified flour display at Afar trade fair
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Behavior Change Communications (BCC)
Development of Soap Opera for Social Change (SOSC)
MC Ethiopian team Visit to LA
During the quarter, six Mercy Corps staff (3 from Ethiopia, 3 from Mercy Corps HQ) made a trip to
Warner Bros (WB) Studio in Burbank, CA in April. The objective of the trip was to build the skills of
Mercy Corps Ethiopia‘s social marketing staff, as well as local creative talent, and assist them in the
development of compelling marketing tools (tactics, creative stories and ideas) and entertainment to
enhance the competiveness of healthful versus unhealthful behaviors.
During the visit the Ethiopian team shared drafts of stories for SOSC with WB team. Based on the
developed story, WB creative writers and marketers provided feedback and support on how to make the
stories more compelling, and jointly worked one of the stories as learning process. At the end of the
meeting, the team had developed a summary synopsis of first season of the story.
Mercy Corps and Warner Bros then further developed a framework and timeline for concrete partnership
deliverables. As a result, four Warner Bros. volunteers—with engagement from key stakeholders
throughout the studio and its community—are now providing pro bono expertise in marketing and writing,
which included travel to Ethiopia to work with local creative talent and Mercy Corps Ethiopia staff. This
work will result in more compelling stories that engage listeners, model good behavior, and provide a
platform for discussion in ―listeners groups‖, as well as the design of social marketing materials that
reinforce the behavior change messages and support positive behavior change.
The Soap Operas for Social Change (SOSC), taps into the strong Ethiopian tradition of oral storytelling,
and harnesses the power of stories not only to entertain, but also to provide ―edu-tainment‖. Mercy
Corps and Warner Bros. are working together to ensure that the program has tangible impact for all of the
stakeholders involved in Soap Operas for Social Change, including:
Strengthening Mercy Corps‘ behavior change nutrition program in Ethiopia
Positively impacting the program beneficiaries‘ lives by instilling measurable nutrition-related
behavior changes
Building Mercy Corps‘ staff capacity to produce quality behavior change communications
Providing an integrated employee volunteer program for WB, yielding increased employee
engagement, from which volunteers can take learning and apply them to their roles.
SOSC will be funded partially through PRIME, and partially through match funding.
Local Writers’ workshop
Following the LA visit, the Ethiopia SOSC production team organized writers‘ workshop for two days in Addis
Ababa. The workshop was organized with two main objectives: familiarizing writers with the objective of
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SOSC and cascading the learning and skills the teams received from WB trip. As a result, during the two day
workshop, a total of 12 local writers from Afar, Somali and Borena zone attended the workshop. The workshop
helped participants to understand the five behavioral themes of PRIME nutrition and how these messages blend
with SOSC stories. In addition, the facilitators using the Season 1 episodes summary developed in LA,
supported local writers to further develop episode summaries for each of the three regions. Most importantly,
the writers‘ workshop helped them to blend the story with PRIME BCC messages.
Development of Creative Brief
During the quarter, PRIME‘s Nutrition team, with assistance from WB, developed two creative briefs on:
Marketing Soap Opera for Social Change and Promotion of Core Behavioral themes. The objectives of
these are to create compelling marketing tools (tactics, messaging, creative stories and ideas) and
entertainment to attract and sustain SOCS listenership; develop social marketing and messaging framework
and design; and produce and disseminate compelling behavior change materials for critical nutritional
messages through multichannel.
The following are deliverables expected for SOSC promotional activities:
Rural population plus urban: 1 minute radio advertisement of the soap opera drama in three
languages. Start twice weekly and then once weekly after the drama launch.
20 circus and/or camel caravan shows before the launch
3,000 posters that contain ads of the soap opera drama
15,000 posters/flyers around critical nutrition themes
30 billboards that contain ads of the soap opera drama and messages around critical nutrition
themes.
Building the capacity of local theatre groups
PRIME IR5 follows an ‗edutainment‘ approach to improve the household nutrition of the pastoralists in the
PRIME intervention areas. One of the mechanisms to reach the community with the PRIME SBCC
messages is through the locally-known theatre groups, for they are well accepted by the local community
and they perform in compliance with the indigenous culture and norms of the local community. However,
the local theater groups lack sufficient skill to artistically blend PRIME nutrition messages with the theatre
performances.
In order to bridge their skill gap, PRIME
facilitated a three-day capacity building
training for 43 local theatre group
performers from Afar and Southern
Cluster. The training was offered by an
international consultant who is an expert
in intergenerational theater. The workshop
covered topics such as basic concepts and
types of theatre, role play, character
development, directing and script writing
for live drama. All topics were practiced
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through rehearsal shows during the training period.
Having gained the theoretical and practical training, the local theatre groups were observed to have a
remarkable change in mixing and conveying the education and entertainment components while promoting
PRIME nutrition messages with their theatrical performances. As a result, the PRIME nutrition SBCC
messages were more successfully conveyed via local theatre groups were conveyed better. This was
verified by the feedbacks gained following assessments made.
BCC Promotional events on four behavioral themes
During the quarter, PRIME nutrition program conducted 21 promotional events in the Southern and Eastern
clusters on diet diversity, ―1000 days‘‘, fodder/feed promotion in the dry season for milking livestock, and
animal health promotion behaviors; a total of 16,400 people benefited from the promotional events.
In the Eastern Cluster, HAVOYOCO‘s circus team presented 9 public shows in Siti Zone of the Ethiopian
Somali regional state, focusing on the ―First 1000 days‘‘ and dietary diversity behavioral themes. Before
the shows, the drama specialist and the scriptwriter developed storylines on the two topics, and the circus
team rehearsed before presenting the shows to the public. The dramas are staged to the public after it was
verified that they contain messages which can adequately depict and convey nutritional messages and
realities in the local communities.
In Southern Cluster, IR5, in partnership with local theatre groups, conducted one promotional event in diet
diversity in Haro Bake marketplace, four promotional events on fodder during the dry season for milking
livestock at Mubarak and Yabello district of Oromia region and Moyale district of the Ethiopian Somali
regional state, and seven promotions on animal health seeking behaviors in Dublulk, Haro Bake, Balami,
Borbor, Hidi, Moyale of Oromia, and Leyi of Moyale Somali areas. The promotions contained dramas and
key messages which convey the actual nutritional and livestock scenarios in the local communities. The
messages were disseminated on the spot via the entertaining songs and funny comedies by the theatre
groups.
SBCC Promotions on Agri-Nutrition Trade Fairs
Trade fairs are special occasions where one can attract a large number of people in the pastoral
communities. The trade fairs provide an opportunity to bring different market actors such as livestock
traders, fodder producers, pastoralist community members and local government representatives. Hence,
the PRIME nutrition program, in partnership with local theatre groups, has reached these gatherings with
different SBCC messages. In Q7 alone, an estimated of 4,000 community members, with a large proportion
of female participants, were reached. Thus, PRIME SBCC messages were well-promoted and disseminated
in Afar and Southern Cluster through trade fairs organized in two zones, each round lasting for two days.
The main behavioral theme promoted in Afar was diet diversity, while in the Southern cluster it was fodder
promotion for milking livestock.
During trade fairs, a cooking demonstration was also staged with locally available food items (Detail of this
activity described under food utilization part) displayed.
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Trade fair conduted in south cluster, in Yabello town
Key result 5.2: Increased/Sustained Availability of and Access to Milk and Livestock Products
Improve animal health services for nutrition
Promotional event on animal health behaviors through Camel Caravan event
The PRIME Nutrition team organized a BCC Camel Caravan for one week in Gewane woreda of Afar
region. The campaign was organized with the objective of promoting animal health service seeking
behaviors for better nutrition outcomes. The campaign reached a total of 7,789 community members of
which 3,689 are female. The PRIME team designed locally-appropriate edutainment methods to
disseminate different nutrition-related messages. Thus, in this campaign, the team developed key messages
related to promotion of animal health service seeking behavior for improved nutrition, and disseminated
them through the camel caravan show, drama, music, spot messages, and question & answer sessions.
Apart from the promotion of the animal health service seeking behavior, the campaign also addressed
fodder and child feeding practices.
In the camel caravan show, thirty camels
are made to wear banners bearing PRIME
messages supported with photos and texts
message in Amharic and Afar languages,
and appear in parades passing through
residential villages & homes, businesses
and open areas to capture community‘s
attention.
The community members have the
opportunity to read the messages, see the
pictures, ask others what the parade was
about and receive the nutrition messages
delivered during the parade. At the end of
the parade, the camels congregate at a
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specific location where a local theater group stages dramas that deliver nutrition messages. The messages
are reinforced with discussions on the theme of the caravan. The camel caravan is commonly known in
Afar for transportation and migration, and hence culturally appropriate, but this was the first of its kind to
be used as communication strategy in promoting nutritional messages for community behavioral change in
the area. Therefore, it became an eye- caching event and attracted a lot of people. PRIME used the
opportunities to dissiminate critical nutrition messages.
Improved Availability and Quality of Animal Feed for Nutrition
Fodder Promotion for milking livestock during the dry season
During the quarter, PRIME conducted five promotional events in the Southern Cluster on fodder for
milking livestock during the dry season. Four of the promotional events were conducted at community
level events, while one event was organized at trade fair conducted in Yabello woreda. The promotional
events conducted at community utilized a local theater group and a storyline developed around fodder
provision, followed by discussion on exploring the local problems and solutions.
Below is a table showing the messages the promotion focused on and the target audience.
No Target audience Messages
1 Government
officials and
experts
Focusing on the fodder extension package through:
(a) Promoting drought resisting forage seeds
(b) Bridging the gap in the demand and supply of fodder
(c) Supporting and improving communal grazing system
(d) Awareness rising on fodder conservation and utilization.
2 Livestock traders Practicing healthy feeding system while fattening the
livestock.
Investing to build local feed lot and dairy business
3 Pastoralists Preserving, conserving and purchasing fodder for better milk,
and fattening livestock.
Utilize fodder to increase household income.
Key result 5.3: Strengthened Local Capatcity for Supporting Improved Nutrition
Training on Keyhole Gardening (KHG) for extension agents and community
A two-day training on keyhole gardening (KHG) was organized and facilitated in the Southern cluster. The
training provided technical concepts and skills on the technology for different types of extension agents
including: DAs, HEWs, school teachers and model community members. The KHG is meant to promote
backyard gardening for water-stressed areas to increase diet diversity and provide a source of
micronutrient. Keyhole gardening is new technology for the PRIME areas; therefore, only two woredas
(Gorodola and Liben woredas of Guji zone) were selected for piloting the technology. Based on lessons
from these two woredas, PRIME will look at possibilities of scaling up KHG in other areas. The training
sessions on KHG included both theoretical and practical session. Initially, the trainer taught basic concepts
of KHG and its importance for household nutrition. In the practical sessions, the participants constructed
KHG in order to improve skills around building the garden.
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All participants of the training were selected from their respective woredas based on their willingness to
build the keyhole garden in their home, health center, health post, farmer training center (FTC) and school,
and also support and train others who are interested to build the garden. The training was conducted in
coordination with the respective woreda office and private seedling producer. The keyhole gardening
technology was adopted from of Catholic Relief secretory (CRS) project in Dire Dawa funded by USAID.
Total of 42 (30 male and 13 females) people participated on this training.
Theoretical session on KHG Practical Demonstration of the KHG
Training school teachers on the concept of ‘First 1000 days’
The ‘First 1000 days’ period, refers to the time from the start of conception until a child is two years old.
The purpose of the training is to convey the basic concepts to school teachers, so that they can extend this
understanding to school clubs and use them for the promotion of the First 1000 Days concept in school and
community level. The ultimate goal of this activity is to embed these ideas into young people prior to them
becoming parents.
The training was conducted in coordination with the Borena zone Education Office with eight selected
model schools that have school clubs with the potential to dissiminate nutrition messages. The two days
training was facilitated by resource person from Borena zone health office and PRIME field-based
Technical Advisor. Total of 26 (16 male and 10 female) teachers participated in the training, which
wrapped up with the development of an action plan on how to cascade the training to school clubs and
engage in community-level promotional activities.
School Clubs for Good Practice of Livestock Husbandry and Better Nutrition Practice
The school clubs workshops were successfully conducted in the Eastern Cluster, particularly Faafan zone.
The workshop reached a total of 98 school club members from Jigjiga, Hadow, Dhagaxle, Lafaciise,
Gobyaray, Qabribayax and Hartashekh. The purpose of the training was to equip the students with better
knowledge and skill about livestock husbandry techniques and encourage them to help their families and
other students in their community.
Following the training, club members anticipate reaching 1800 pastoralist and agro-pastoralists to improve
their knowledge and practice of animal husbandry.
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Constraints, challenges and lessons learned for IR5
IR5 activities in the Eastern Cluster halted for the most of Q7, following the Somali Regional Government
cancellation of the previously-signed nutrition MoU. PRIME is working with the regional government to
rescind the cancellation and progress is been made in that regard.
Government extension workers have been less engaged on nutrition promotion activities due to other
priorities. In the future, this will be improved by strengthening coordination with local government actors.
Priority activities for Q8
Continue promotional events on 1000 days, fodder and diet diversity through circus and local
theater group.
TOT on IYCF for staff and regional/ zonal level health workers.
Promote Key Hole Gardening for model community and extension workers.
Study appropriate innovations in food technology for milk, meat and vegetable preservation.
Training on 1000 days concept for health workers, HEWs, agricultural extension and elders.
Training of religious leaders, community elders (men and women) and other influencers on
nutrition and IYCF.
Nutrition add-on training (through VSLA, Coops, and other market actors).
Further strengthening local theater group capacity.
Review and reflection meetings for better nutrition outcome with other IRs and government sectors.
Organizing field days on plastic bag grain storage experience for model agro-pastoralists and
different stakeholders.
INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT FUND (IIF)
The US$5 million IIF supports activities across PRIME through targeted investments in the form of
technical assistance, matching grants, and service contracts with private sector, government and non-
government stakeholders.
Jijiga Export Slaughter House (JESH)
PRIME is supporting an activity to establish a new slaughterhouse in the village of Faafan in the Somali
Regional State of Ethiopia that will process meat specifically for export. The Jijiga Export Slaughter House
will provide improved market linkages for over 500,000 households and create up to 1000 jobs.
Construction of warehouse has begun for storing the slaughterhouse equipment at the site. Civil
works including preparation of remaining substructure works for the refrigeration and slaughter workshops
is also underway. Also included, is work necessary for the solid waste treatment facilities on-site, as
recommended by the environmental consultant. The remaining civil work on service buildings and
structures is expected to start next month. The last shipment containing the refrigeration equipment is en
route to Djibouti.
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From the obligated amount of $3 million from JESH investors, we have received and verified cost-share
documentation for $1,145,360. JESH will be reporting on match every quarter, we expect $500,000
documented match report by next quarter.
Somali Microfinance Institute (SMFI) - Belcash
PRIME‘s IIF signed an agreement with the Somali Microfinance Institution Share Company (SMFI) to co-
finance the Financial Inclusion for the People of Somali Region in Ethiopia (FIPSRE) project. The FIPSRE
project is a three-year initiative to be implemented jointly by the SMFI and Belcash Technology Solutions
PLC. The project will enable the SMFI to extend financial services to the unbanked population of the
region via mobile phone banking and payment services. During this period, 50% of mobile phone users in
Ethiopia‘s Somali Region are expected to have improved access to financial services, and 3,000 self-
employed women and men are anticipated to increase their incomes by 25% using loans received through
the SMFI‘s new service.
During the quarter under review, SMFI‘s senior management team presented their proposal to the board of
National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). Following the presentation the bank has given its approval to carry out
the pilot. The pilot phase of the project will be under the supervision of the National Bank of Ethiopia. The
objective of the pilot period is to go through all the steps of the mobile and agent banking implementation
process, test the system in a real environment and integrate lessons learned before engaging in full rollout.
Project aims to execute pilot operational program on 500 end users, through 6 branches of SMFI and 10-20
Agents (Merchants). SMFI and Belcash are now waiting the final approval letter from the Prime Minister‘s
office for data storage at the national data center.
Belcash is preparing a match report on the expenses they have incurred to date on this project. We expect a
documented report on the pilot phase for at least $61,125 by next quarter. We will receive quarterly reports
on match funding once the project is off the ground. Total contribution from SMFI and Belcash throughout
the three years is anticipated to be $4,229,723.
RENEW Investment advisors Plc. - Private Equity Leveraging Services
PRIME signed a contract with an investment advisory/private equity firm to encourage private equity
investment in the targeted regions of Ethiopia. This activity is anticipated to create more than 2,000 direct
jobs in the targeted regions and leverage $6 million from the private sector. The goal of this activity is to
leverage private sector equity financing for investment in promising Ethiopian livestock sector-related
ventures facing capital constraints.
After signing the contract, PRIME‘s IIF and RENEW‘s team worked closely to develop a list of investment
criteria and screen opportunities in RENEW‘s current pipeline against PRIME‘s investment criteria. During
the quarter under review, RENEW team traveled to the Eastern and Southern Clusters of PRIME regions to
identify companies that meet RENEW‘s and PRIME‘s IIF investment criteria. RENEW‘s team also
conducted an investor trip to the US to discuss investment opportunities in Ethiopia with angel investors
from different parts of the country. RENEW will connect investors in their network to investment
opportunities through a number of outlets including: Econ-Tourism trips, meetings with the Government of
Ethiopia (GoE) and U.S. government officials, site meetings, a ―deal show‖ where business owners pitch
their investment opportunities to investors, and negotiation meetings.
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Annual Program Statement (APS) for value chain investments
The IIF have released an Annual Program Statement that is open for eligible entities to apply during 2014.
Through this APS, the IIF is mainly targeting value chain actors in order to catalyze sustainable
improvements in industry capacity, expanded supply chains, increased sector competitiveness, and a
strengthened financial services industry.
The IIF committee met to review full proposals from Addiskidan Milk processing factory and Agflow
Poultry Poultry/Mekele Farms. Addiskidan Milk processing factory is a new start up in Awash and is a
medium-size modern milk processing facility with processing capacity of 10,000 liters of milk per day.
Addiskidan presented their full business plan for the IIF committee on April 15. After careful analysis of
the business plan and feasibility study the committee decided to have Addiskidan re-submit their business
for second review incorporating comments received from the committee members. The second review is
scheduled for July 31, 2014.
Agflow Poultry/ AGP Poultry is a poultry franchise business model in Ethiopia targeting the bottom of the
pyramid. The company produces and markets day-old chicks, feed, and medicines, and trains SMEs to
enable them to own and manage their own businesses. The management of Agflow Poultry/AGP Poultry
presented their expansion plan into Southern Region to the IIF committee on June 3. After careful
consideration of the impact this activity will have on PRIME‘s targeted beneficiaries, the IIF committee
approved the application for funding with a total score of 162/200. This activity is anticipated to benefit
30,000 households (HHs), increase HH income by an average of $400 per year and leverage $3.7M from
the private sector.
The sub-grant initiation process has begun for this project: PRIME staff have carried out the first stage of
due diligence and are currently working on drafting the agreement. PRIME will carry out an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) on the site to ensure the proper waste treatment plan and all necessary mitigation
measures are in place in compliance with GoE and USAID regulations. Other development partners
working with Agflow Poultry include AGRA, Growth Market Partners (GMP) and Acumen Fund.
The APS will continue to be advertised monthly till November 2014 in Fortune Weekly newspaper.
Barwako Milk Processing Factory (Jijiga)
The IIF committee met on May 27 to review the request for funding submitted by Barwako milk processing
plant and approved 50% of the total requested fund. The project entails establishment of a raw milk
processing plant in Jijiga. The plant is designed to have an initial throughput capacity of 10MT of raw
camel and cow milk and produce pasteurized milk for both local and export consumption. Barwako will
have to pass the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before signing an agreement; PRIME will hire a
consultant to carry out the EIA for Barwako. The IIF and Finance team will travel to Jijiga in the third
week of July to conduct due diligence on the company.
Leasing proclamation clarification and roll out, and support to microfinance institutions seeking to
develop leasing products.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed agreement with the National Bank of Ethiopia
(NBE) to support the bank through building its capacity. IFC will contract consultants to support the bank
in areas of providing technical support on drafting the leasing proclamation and monitoring and supporting
leasing companies and MFIs. In coordination with IFC, PRIME will support the NBE in other intervention
77
areas where IFC‘s support does not reach, such as the rollout to SMEs. Planned activities include carrying
out policy analysis on capital goods, and helping NBE develop a comprehensive operational manual for
private lease companies. IFC and PRIME have continued discussing ways to work together to roll out the
product in PRIME‘s target regions.
Islamic banking services in pastoralist areas (Islamic banking window) – in collaboration with National
Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Oromiya International Bank (OIB), Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), and
United Bank
PRIME team continued discussions with Oromiya International Bank (OIB), Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
(CBE) and United Bank on Islamic Finance (Interest Free Banking). PRIME is planning an exposure visit
for 12 senior bank officials to London and Malaysia in the next few months. PRIME will also conduct
policy analysis on Islamic Finance during the next quarter.
Request for Applicants (RFA)
Under this quarter, PRIME received five requests from interested organizations in reply to the RFA for
small grants. So far PRIME has not received any application under this mechanism. Through this RFA, the
IIF is seeking to award a range of potential recipients, including NGOs, research institutes, consulting firms
and others with the aim of bringing innovation and technology into use.
CRISIS MODIFIER
This quarter, PRIME focused on finalizing crisis modifier systems and procedures, and ensuring that
partner agencies understood the approach and systems used under the Crisis Modifier. To this end, relevant
trigger indicators for PRIME have been identified, reliable information sources both at national, zonal and
community level mapped out, and working relationships established and strengthened. The indicators fall
broadly into three categories, namely: environmental indicators (e.g. change in rainfall, change in pasture,
change in water availability), market-based indicators (e.g. change in milk price, Terms of Trade, change in
wage rates), and coping mechanisms being utilized (such as change in mobility pattern). These indicators
do not utilize threshold measures to determine when the crisis has ―hit‖, as this hinders early response and
measures to prevent deep crisis. Instead, PRIME‘s methodology uses process maps and regular analyses
that ensure that observed changes are analyzed in an integrated manner, providing a more robust view of
the situation and the opportunities for early response. This approach to crises supports a resilience approach
to programming, and provides greater opportunity to protect household assets built through the
development work of the project.
The triggering indicators were identified through participatory and guided discussion among PRIME
technical leadership. For each indicator a process map—a map similar to a decision tree, designed to aid in
decision making and to identify where additional information may be required—was prepared through a
consultative process with PRIME partners. To date, two consultative workshops have been conducted to
familiarize the wider consortia members on the crisis modifier systems, procedures and triggers. Additional
workshops planned to introduce the approach to government counterparts.
PRIME is tracking the indicators using multiple external information sources, and once a week the Senior
Management Team reviews whether there have been changes in the tracked indicators and whether this
requires action on the part of the PRIME team. The information collected at national level is verified
through community consultation where appropriate; specifically, through the participatory scenario
78
planning sessions and community fora such as rangeland councils. These sources substantiate the accuracy
of the information. In addition, regular field visits by technical leaders help to crosscheck with realities on
the ground.
Tracking triggers and monitoring information in this manner, and at different levels, has enabled PRIME to
stay up-to-date with changing events, and put structures in place for early response, such as developing the
systems for fodder vouchers. That in turn helps the project to respond to emergencies in a timely and
effective manner through proactively coordinating with implementing partners and key stakeholders.
In Q8, PRIME anticipates rolling out Fodder Vouchers in all three regions, in response to the oncoming
drought. Complementary activities such as destocking loans and animal health services will continue under
the normal PRIME activities.
DISABILITY
Consortium partner ECDD provided disability awareness and inclusion training to TVET teachers and
administrators as well as personnel of transformative institutions (government and private banks, micro
finance institutions) in Southern cluster-Negelle Borena and Yabello and Eastern Cluster-Jijiga, with the
objective of raising their general awareness on disability and ensure disability inclusion in their services.
Planned activities which are underway include studies on the situation of persons with disabilities in
pastoral communities and policy analysis to identify policy gaps to inclusive pastoral development together
with Haramaya University. Moreover, provision of micro-grants in alternative accessible formats to
selected TVET institutions and provision of technical support and funding to make premises physically
accessible for trainees with physical impairments at selected TVET institutions is also under process.
79
V. FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Expenses per Funding Stream:
Climate Change
Adaptation
Feed the Future (FtF)
Nutrition Crisis Modifier
Total
Budget: $ 7,866,161 $ 42,006,541 $ 2,975,152 $ 4,577,137 $57,870,829
Expenses to Date: $ 3,123,128 $ 2,501,489 $ 7,293,717 $ 9,341 $11,787,831
Expenses per Intermediate Result:
IR1: Improved productivity and competitiveness of livestock and
livestock products
IR2: Enhanced adaptatn to climate
change
IR3: Developmen
t of alternative livelihoods
for households'
transition out of
pastoralism
IR4: Enhanced innovation,
learning and
knowledge mgment
IR5: Nutrition
Crisis Modifier
Totals
Budget: $ 18,714,169 $7,751,944 $16,050,958 $6,514,131 $4,262,490 $4,577,137 $57,870,829
Expenses to Date:
$ 4,231,399 $2,501,489 $1,672,031 $2,660,434 $702,479 $9,341 $11,767,832
80
Annex 1. Summary information on the livestock markets assessed in Fafan, Siti, Jarar and
Babile Oromia Zones
No. Market
Name GPS
Market
days
weekly
Users Functionality Type of livestock
traded
Animals
traded
annually
Market
importance
1 Ararso 08*44.952 043*22.485 7days 150 Yes Shoat 43,680 Good
2 Dh/bur 08*11.980 043*33.670 7days 250 Yes All types 475,800 Very good
3 Yoale 08*02.611 043*51.091 - 150 No Shoats 15,600 Good
4 Aware 08*15.870 044*09.820 7days 100 Yes Shoat 721,344 Good
5 Daroor 08*13.740 044*41.975 7days 800 Yes Shoats 85,800 Very good
6 Gashamo 08*06.965 045*20.148 7days 300 No Shoats 205,920 Good
7 Moholli 08*56.570 044*54.580 7days 150 Yes Shoats 492,960 Excellent
8 Harshin 08*55.847 043*45.075 7days 600 Yes All types 417,300 Excellent
9 Kebribayah 09*05.808 043*11.042 7days 1000 Yes Shoats 37,128 Very good
10 Hartishekh 09*09.772 043*21.540 7days 2500 Yes All types 1,020,240 Excellent
11 Amadley 09*15.727 042*59.756 6days 150 Yes Large animal 49,920 Very good
12 Jigjiga 09*20.026 042*48.664 6days 600 Yes All types 639,600 Excellent
13 Tulli 09*36.996 042*45.390 - 60 No No 18,720 No
14 Lafisa 09*36.379 042*58.971 6days 350 Yes All types 112,320 Very good
15 Wojale - No
function No No No
16 Babili som. 08*90.365 042*41.468 2days Yes All types Very good
17 Gursum 09*23.729 042*60.163 2days No All types Very good
18 Ayshaca 10*75.444 042*57.087 2days
19 Adaytu 11*12.129 040*75.961 2 1500 No Shoat and equines 162,000 Good
20 Andufu 10*52.725 040*75.821 4000 yes Shoat, camel, cows 111,600 Very good
21 Biki 09*52.557 041*19.151 1300 Yes All types 1,587,600 Very good
22 Hardin 09*01.451 040*33.636 500 Yes Cows, camel,
shoats 198,000 Good
23 Gedugas 09*41.045 040*73.803 170 Yes Bulls, shoats, camel 259,200 Good
24 Asbulli 09*97.683 041*16.457 1000 Yes Cows, shoats,
camel 586,800 Very good
25 Hadagala 10*42.133 042*23.008 200 Yes Equines, shoats,
camel 66,600 Good
26 Samakab 09*74.959 042*44.481 80 Yes Cows, shoats,
camel 47,880 Good
27 Araabi 09*93.185 042*71.955 150 yes Equine, shoats,
camel 214,200 Good
28 Danbal 09*80.359 042*60.452 95 No No - -
29 Agarweyne 09*85.186 042*77.666 45 Yes Caws, shoat, equine 29,520 Fair
30 Dhure 10*03.574 042*38.506 50 Yes Shoats 72,000 Fair
31 Hoore 10*31.851 041*76.727 40 Yes Cows, shoats 26,640 Fair
32 Shinile 09*23.729 041*85.443 No No - - -
33 Hurso 09*60.529 041*63.954 700 Yes Shoats, cows, camel 118,080 Fair
34 Erer 09*56.221 041*38.123 150 Yes Shoats, cows, camel 17,952 Fair
35 Mulli 09*29.075 040*83.289 No No - - -
36 Afdem 09*46.351 040*99.605 150 Yes Shoats 96,000 Good
37 Asli 09*80.937 040*92.542 112 Yes Shoats 91,800 Fair
38 Gadhmadaw 09*73.504 040*45.627 200 Yes Shoats, cows, camel 100,000 Good
39 Fafan 09*23.729 042*60.163 300 Yes Shoats, camel, cows 108,480 Good
40 Dhadhamane 08*90.365 042*41.468 300 Yes Shoats, bulls,
equines 104,640 Good
41 Biyoqabobe 3700 Yes Camel, shoats,
camel 108,000 Good
42 Dhagago 940 Yes Shoats, equines 19,200 Good
81
Annex 2. Summary of Improvement needs of the assessed livestock markets in ESRS
Market Name
Upgrading Needed
Rehab. Needs of Market
Construction needs
Remarks
Ararso New Market construction
Yoale New Market construction
Aware Fence, shades, toilet ,loading and unloading, crash, small shade for tax collectors.
-
Daroor New Market construction
Gashamo New Market construction
Moholli New Market construction
Harshin Shade water supply
K/bayah New Market construction
Existing market was destroyed by Master plan
H/shekh Shade and water supply -
Amadley New Market construction
Jigjiga -
Tulli Shade and compartments walls
- Not functioning
Lafisa Shades -
Wojale Shade - Not Functioning
Babili som. -
Gursum Shade, toilet crush, water supply
adaytu Shades, water, thoughts
Andufu New market Construction
Biki Shades, water, fencing
Hardin New market Construction
Gedugas New market Construction
Asbulli New market Construction
Hadagala New market Construction
Samakab New market Construction
Araabi New market Construction
Danbal Shades and water
Agarweyne New market Construction
Dhure New market Construction
Hoore New market Construction
Hurso New market Construction
Afdem New market Construction
Asli New market Construction
Gadhmadaw New market Construction
Fafan Water and shades
Dhadhamane Shades, trough,
Biyoqabobe Shades, water supply, vet-clinic
Dhagago New market Construction
82
Annex 3. Summary of the Competitive Cost Sharing Business Expansion Fixed Obligation Grants for PVP Expansion
No Awarded
PVPs
Amount in Birr Amount in USD Geographic Location
PRIME Recipients Total PRIME Recipients Total Kebele Woreda Zone
1 Africa PVP 133,700 312,000 445,700 6,953 16,225 23,177 Erer Ibada Babile EH
2 Awgobyar
PVP 109,350 255,100 364,450 5,666 13,218 18,883 Abay fulan Awbare Fafan
3 Badbado PVP 120,000 280,000 400,000 6,218 14,508 20,725 Lafa Isse Awbare Fafan
4 Barwaqo PVP 91,000 212,300 303,300 4,715 11,000 15,715 Ayiliso Shinile Sitti
5 Dambal PVP 120,850 282,000 402,850 6,262 14,611 20,873 Agarwoyne Dambal Sitti
6 Du'ale PVP 97,300 227000 324,300 5,041 11,762 16,803 Dakahbaharo Ararso Jarar
7 Erer PVP 72,000 168,000 240,000 3,731
8,704 12,435 Erer Erer Sitti
8 Gahnug PVP 121,700 284,000 405,700 6,306 14,715 21,021 Haljid Ararso Jarar
9 Harwo PVP 134,600 314,080 448,680 6,974 16,274 23,248 Dundumo
Ad Awbare Fafan
10 Kebribayah
PVP 103,200 240,760 343,960 5,347 12,475 17,822 GarbiHarre Kbayah Fafan
11 Mullu PVP 96,850 226,000 322,850 5,018 11,710 16,728 Mullu Mieso Sitti
12 Shifo VP 115,700 270,000 385,700 5,995 13,990 19,984 Ali Jama Gashamo Jarar
Total 1,316,250 3,071,240 4,387,490 44,891 104,743 149,633
Average 109,688 255,937 365,624 5,611 13,093 18,704 12 9 4
83
Annex 4. Assessment of Financial Management Competencies for USAID Forward
84
85
PRIME Success Story: Improving pastoralist livelihoods through access to animal health services
Ahmed Mohammed Sirad, 58, lives in
Galmarodi Village in Fafan Zone of the
Ethiopian Somali Region. Ahmed owns 50
cattle and five camels. His livelihood, like his
ancestors‘, has always depended on livestock
for as long as he remembers. The more animals
he has, the better off he and his family are.
Drought and animal diseases are the two worst
tragedies that could happen to him and his
community.
Drought is still a problem, but animal health is
improving. Talking about the animal health
situation a few years ago, Ahmed says, ―Our
lives were uncertain.‖ Pastoralists did not have
control over their animals‘ health. The latest
tragedy he remembers happened about five
years ago when he lost three cattle (estimated at about 23,000 birr, or over 1000 USD) to diarrhea. In
those days, a lot of his community members lost livestock to various diseases. Ahmed says, ―There was
nothing we could do about the diseases. We just had to look at our animals die. It‘s so heartbreaking.‖
Diseases did not only claim the lives of animals but also undermined their productivity, resulting in less
milk and meat. Ahmed and family did not have enough to eat. All that has changed thanks animal health
services provided by community health workers (CAHWs).
The Pastoralist Areas Resilience Improvement through Market Expansion (PRIME) project has been
working with government, the private sector and FAO to improve the animal health services in the
Ethiopian Somali Region. PRIME is facilitating technical training to CAHWs. In the Eastern Cluster,
PRIME delivered a ten-day training of trainers (TOT) to 19 government health officials so that they can
cascade the training to CAHWs. Based on the National Minimum Standards Guideline, the training was
focused on diagnosing animal diseases, community mobilization, adult learning, livestock disease
incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and sustainable community animal health. Since then, the TOT
trainees cascaded the training to about 150 CAHWs in two rounds, reaching between 1200 and 1500
households with these services.
According to Ahmed, pastoralists who take their sick animals to CAHWs and get the necessary
vaccination do not lose animals to diseases any more, instead making them healthier and more productive.
Ahmed, his family and community are better off. ―My children drink more milk,‖ says Ahmed. ―Today, I
have more and healthier livestock and I can afford to sell some so that I can buy fodder for my animals
and more food for my children.‖ In all, Ahmed and his community are better prepared to weather the
storm in case of droughts or other emergencies. ―In case of drought, we can sell older animals,‖ points out
Ahmed confidently.
.
Ahmed, purchasing medicines for his animals from a vet pharmacy in Fafan Town
86
PRIME Success Story: Murabaha Results in More and Better Animals
The demand for Ethiopia‘s lowland livestock breed and camels in neighboring countries and the
Middle East is well recognized. The large volume of livestock resources and proximity to the
export markets gives the country comparative advantages. However, the sector is beset with
problems, including inadequate market information and difficulties for producers to sell their
products to a large range of buyers.
Umer Abdi, an animal trader, used to work on
trust basis. He used to buy animals from
pastoralists on credit. Not a lot of pastoralists
were keen to sell on credit for understandable
reasons. Thus, Umer supplied to local markets
only; he could barely meet even the demands
of the local market. Umer struggled to make
ends meet. None of his seven children went to
school. He also lived in a small hut.
The Pastoralist Areas Resilience Improvement
through Market Expansion (PRIME) realizes
that improving the financial capacity of
livestock traders and exporters is the key to
addressing the bottlenecks of animal trade. The project worked with SMFI to support the
pastoralist communities in the Ethiopian Somali Region by designing a new loan product, known
as Murabaha, tailored to livestock traders and exporters.
Umer is one of the traders who benefitted from the scheme. In October 2013, Umer secured a
loan of 200,000 birr (10,000 USD). That money changed his life. With the loan, he bought more
animals and started to supply to Sheikh Musa, a livestock exporter, who has a contractual
agreement with Aljabir, a livestock importer in Dubai, to export 2000 ruminants a month.
Umer‘s monthly income increased by 50%. His business is doing so well that life for him and his
family changed dramatically. Today, five of his children are in school and he built more
comfortable housing for his family. The recent change has make Umer optimistic about what the
future may hold for him. ―A few years from now,‖ he says, ―I‘ll be a different person. I‘m
dreaming of helping not only my family but also a lot of smallholder pastoralists.‖
With this loan, Umer reaches 30-35 pastoralists, who are benefitting from the scheme in several
ways. To begin with, now that Umer has a more lucrative and sustainable market, he can afford
to pay more to the producers, about 50% more depending on the age of the animals and their
body weight and look. Umer then goes to villages to purchase the animals, saving pastoralists a
lot of time and money. Finally, the loan is encouraging pastoralists to raise more and better
animals. For Somali pastoralists, livestock is the principal source of subsistence providing milk
and cash to cover family expenses for food grains and other essential consumer goods. If
pastoralists have a reasonably good market, they have the potential to double animal production
and productivity The scheme is contributing to improving animal productivity and quality as
traders are sharing information with producers regarding market requirements for their animals.
Umer, next to his newly built house
87
Umer is just one of dozens of livestock traders, who are benefitting from the scheme. With more
financial products like Murabaha, more livestock producers and traders will enter the market,
enhancing animal production and productivity. It is an incentive for small holders to produce
more and take a good care of their animals. Ultimately, it will contribute to building resilience
among pastoralist communities.