chosen and plans made for subsequent trainings and demonstration plots (see below) An initial on-the-job training for lead farmers was held at the District Farmer Training Center (FTC). The training –given by ZARI, ICRAF and SNV (on gender) - included technical training as well as training on rolling out to follower farmers. Camp extension officers, crop husbandry officer, and senior agricultural officers were also present. The follower farmers were identified by the lead farmers themselves and focused on fellow villagers within a practical distance from the demo plot sites. The lead farmers were provided with log books to record trainings and bicycles to follow up the follower farmers, as well as seeds. Trainings on planting started when the rains took hold, followed by weeding and pest control. Harvesting happened in April and May 2017 and will be reported upon during the May 2017 review. A key challenge was revealed following SNV monitoring visits. There was a grave misunderstanding on the tree planting protocol. This included fundamental aspects of spacing and even of species use. An additional training was scheduled at the FTC focusing only on tree planting. It was also reiterated that a hedge ought to be planted around the demo-plots, whereby a choice was given to plant pigeon pea or Tephrosia. The actual tree planting on the demonstration plots took place in beginning of 2017, but it can already be said that overall this was a success with a provisional survival rate of 90%. At the time of the second training at FTC, the occasion was seized to demonstrate the linkage of AF to biomass production for fuel pellets with the ECS cook-stoves. 5.4 Establishment of Tree Nurseries: Nine smallholder farmers were identified and trained by ICRAF on how to set up tree nursery enterprises. To enhance backstopping for the tree nursery farmers 6 extension officers, 2 DACOs and SNV SILMS officers were also trained by ICRAF on how to set up and maintain a tree nursery enterprise. As part of the training an exposure visit to ICRAF Malawi was arranged for
Analysis of Year 1 achievements against the Life of Project targets and Year 1 Target Performance Indicators Life of Project Targets Year 1 Targets Year 1 Achievements % of achievement against Year 1 targets Measures to be taken to ensure targets are achieved Number of Farmers trained in ISFM& Agroforestry by Extension Officers and Lead Farmers 20,000 10,000 6,911 (3,276M , 3,635F) 69% Development of additional farmer mobilization strategies with an option to expanding the project operational camps Percentage increase in productivity for targeted farmers 20% 0 0 0 Marketing only in June/July 2017 Percentage change in the volume of each commodity sold 80% 0 0 0 Change to be reflected after sales Percentage change in income generated from commodities sold 15% 5% 0 (To be captured during the 0 Results to be captured during midline survey
midline survey schedule for July 2017) after the marketing season Percentage of targeted farmers practicing ISFM and/or agroforestry 75% 0 0 0 Limited to 210 demonstration plots during this first year Percentage of targeted farmers buying improved seed and seedlings from trained seed multipliers and tree nurseries 75% 0 0 0 To be known during preparation for second farming season (latter part of 2017) Number of trained and active Agro dealers in ISFM and Agro forestry 60 60 32 (21M, 11F) 53% Number of trained and active government extension Officers 12 12 14 (12M, 2F) 117% Additional staff included two crop husbandry officer Increase in annual income generated by Agro dealers 21, 000 ZMW 12,000 ZMW 20,000 ZMW 100% Number of inclusive business arrangements established and functional 15 10 6 60% The major challenge was that major companies lacked their own resources to support inclusive business
through inclusive business arrangements (To be captured during the midline survey schedule for July 2017) midline survey after the marketing season Number of repeat loans accessed from MFIs or banks 15 0 0 0 Activity to be fully developed in 2017 Percentage reduction in the level of new deforestation caused by cotton in Eastern Province 35% 0 0 0 Monitoring only possible starting in in 2017 when traceability tool is to be completed Percentage increase in cotton producers adopting BCI principals 75% 10% 0 0% In 2017 a decision will be taken on whether it is feasible to continue with cotton. Number of farmers adopting ISFM/ agro forestry practices in cotton 10% 10% 0 (This will be reported in 2017 report as the focus has now shifted to Soya) 0%
Percentage increase in yield of cotton for targeted farmers 22% 0 0 0% Indicator to be reviewed in 2017, in case cotton will be dropped as a commodity. Number of Practice and policy briefs generated 6 2 2 100% A strategy will developed to ensure all implementing partners initiate and develop policy briefs to be peer reviewed by SEI to increase the number of policy briefs initiated National platforms/ workshops conducted to synthesize results at district levels to policy recommendations 9 3 0 0% The activity will be taken over by SNV District and provincial level meetings held with key stakeholders to review results and develop practice 24 8 5 63% The activity will be taken over by SNV
the project itself, and proposals are made to address these during the coming period. Integrated Water Resource Management. The inclusion of IWRM came about following a Swedish Embassy mission to Katete and Lundazi. Discussions with district agricultural staff as well as farmers revealed an increasingly erratic climate. The vulnerability of farmers depending on one crop a year was highlighted by the unpredictable rain patterns of the last several years (and was to be confirmed during the 2016 planting season with rains appearing late November followed by about three to four weeks of drought; farmers who had planted with the first rains saw their young crops wither). SNV was thus advised to consider including water management in the project and this was scheduled for 2017. Prediction of droughts. The significant variance of weather patterns even within districts are increasingly a risk factor for farmers. SILMS was approached by Agripredict, a young start-up company that presented a weather application linked to an early warning SMS alert. Two staff were recruited as interns to further develop the concept and focus on drought prediction during the planting season. A first field visit was planned for January 2017 and will be reported upon during the May 2017 review. Mechanisation of agro-forestry. Even when following the ISFM/AF recommendations of the SILMS project, leading to higher yields and incomes, most farmers will not rise above a certain level of incomes. The most recent data from Katete DACO’s office reveals an estimated average farm size of 1.5 hectares. Recent Lundazi data show a slightly higher average of 2 Ha. Only so much land can be worked upon by hand, so real change must come from increasing productivity and this requires some form of mechanisation. The idea is not new and has failed before. Several efforts at introducing tractors –including numerous attempts by NWK- have all failed. It was said that the step was too big. High investment costs, difficulties in repaying and difficulties in maintaining tractors were cited as main reasons. SILMS saw an increasing usage of animal traction ploughs drawn by two oxen and even a system of renting out oxen and ploughs. But can mechanisation be