IFAD social reporting blog

On 23 May 2017, the IFAD's Nutrition Team organized a breakout session on mainstreaming nutrition in IFAD financed projects. This dedicated session on nutrition took place during the IFAD’s East and Southern Africa (ESA) Regional Implementation Workshop (RIW) in Kampala, Uganda. The RIW presented a great opportunity to reach out and engage with project teams, country office colleagues and other stakeholders on the conversations on nutrition mainstreaming in IFAD operations. The nutrition session was jointly planned with the Rome based Agencies (RBAs) colleagues, and built on several consultative discussions to accelerate nutrition awareness in operations at country level.

Raising awareness on nutrition

In setting the scene on nutrition awareness and sensitization, participants had a round of virtual quiz to stimulate the discussion on nutrition mainstreaming. Analysis of the quiz exercise showed that most of the participants are aware of the implications of malnutrition to the wellbeing of people and national economy. Interestingly, this exercise exposed that the relation between gender and nutrition is still blurry to many respondents. This is a subject that should be explored further especially during workshops and trainings on nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Experiences on nutrition mainstreaming

Good practices on nutrition mainstreaming within IFAD-funded operations were presented. Nutrition focal points from IFAD funded projects in Burundi (Aloïs Hakizimana), Malawi (Manuel Mang'anya), Mozambique (Jeronimo Francisco) and Zambia (Martin Lyiwalii) shared their respective country experiences, which consisted of various innovative nutrition activities and different approaches for mainstreaming nutrition. The varied approaches include:

• Access to microcredit through women groups; 
• Adoption of local and traditional food to tackle malnutrition; 
• Promotion of diversified food production and consumption; 
• Training local promoters on nutrition, food preparation demonstration with active participation of the beneficiaries; 
• Radio messages, songs and farmers hotline on good nutrition and improved family diet along with income generation of small producers. 

Taking advantage of the presence of significant members of the IFAD-funded projects teams during this session, the key messages of the ESA study: “Mapping of Nutrition-Sensitive Interventions in East and Southern Africa" was disseminated to participants. This study provided insights on the variety of nutrition-sensitive actions being implemented in ESA's portfolio and identified gaps and opportunities for effective nutrition mainstreaming.

Dissemination of FAO Toolkits on nutrition-sensitive agriculture

This session provided the space to learn and disseminate the available resources for agriculture-nutrition projects. Militezegga Mustapha, a colleague from FAO made a presentation that illustrated the need for combined efforts of agriculture, social protection, nutrition education and adequate care practices. She stressed that nutrition is linked to the entire food system including: 1) food production, 2) food handling, storage, 3) food trade and marketing and 4) consumer demand, food preparation and preferences. FAO Toolkit and eLearning modules for nutrition-sensitive programming were discussed and the hard copies of resource materials were distributed to participants. 

RBAs collaboration for nutrition at country level

Tantely Randrianasolo, M&E Manager, and Maria Fernanda Arraes De Souza, Programme Coordinator, from Madagascar and Mozambique, respectively, shared their experiences of successful RBAs collaboration on integrating nutrition in agriculture and rural development investments. Tantely narrated how the joint efforts in AINA programme in Madagascar implemented in collaboration with FAO, WFP and IFAD have addressed various elements of the integrated pathway to nutrition (awareness raising, training, tools, storage facilities, scaling up of experiences). The collaboration has brought significant improvements in dietary intake as well as physical infrastructure and social issues such as school attendance.

On the other hand, Arraes De Souza shared the Mozambique experiences where additional nutrition components were incorporated to the already ongoing projects. The RBAs collaboration in Mozambique is using different entry points i.e. nutrition awareness with leaders, training with women groups in complementing each other’s interventions for optimization of nutrition outcomes.

Furthermore, this forum provided the opportunity to reach out to the project team on the other RBAs collaboration initiatives on nutrition, such as the Nutrition-Sensitive Value Chains (NSVC) and the Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) Resource Frameworks.

Indeed, this dedicated breakout session was well appreciated by participants and was followed up by several group and bilateral conversations on specific needs and way forward to accelerate nutrition mainstreaming at project and country levels. This type of outreach is essential to increase awareness and engage with project teams on nutrition in IFAD operations.

Written by: Elisa Mandelli

AU Declaration on Land issues and Challenges in Africa.

From the 4th to the 6th of December, the city of Arusha in Tanzania hosted the members and partners of the Land Policy Initiative for a planning review and the annual Steering Committee. Participants included representatives from governments and intergovernmental institutions such as Tanzania Ministry of Land, African Union, UN Economic Commission for Africa, Union du Maghreb Arabe and Intergovernmental Authority on Development to mention a few. It also included academic institutions such as Ardhi University, civil society platforms, farmers organizations and development partners such as IFAD, AFDB, USAID, and Swiss Cooperation.

The Land Policy Initiative (LPI) was established in 2006 as an initiative from the African Union Commission, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The objective was to generate African-led policies and strategies based on contextual needs and aspirations to ensure equitable access and efficient and sustainable utilization of land in Africa. With this vision, the first phase of the initiative resulted in the development and the adoption by the AU members of the AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa and the Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa (F&G).

Today the LPI assists African governments to address land tenure security by implementing the AU Declaration and developing policies and strategies in accordance with the F&G. Within this framework, IFAD is supporting the LPI to mainstream good land governance in agricultural development and more specifically in the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). The CAADP is a common framework to stimulate and guide national, regional and continental initiatives to enhance Africa’s agricultural productivity. The grant seeks to support the strengthening of linkages between land governance, rural poverty reduction and agricultural development by fostering the engagement of ministries responsible for agriculture and rural development in land policy implementation. The grant will pilot this approach in  four countries in East and Southern Africa: Malawi, Madagascar, Rwanda and Tanzania and two countries in West and Central Africa: Cote D'Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo.

During the planning meeting in Arusha, the LPI Secretariat presented the achievements and progress made in mainstreaming land governance in the CAADP, but also in generating and disseminating data, supporting capacity building, creating or strengthening platforms and partnerships on land governance, addressing  gender-related issues and supporting the monitoring and evaluation of the AU implementation.

Participants of the LPI Partners Review and Planning Meeting, Arusha 4th to 6th of December 2016. ©ILPI 2016.

At the continental level the LPI has provided technical inputs to the 2014 Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa and has supported the integration of land governance into the agenda of institutions like the Panafrican Parliament and the Panafrican Farmers’ Organization.

Regional institutions like the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Regional Centre For Mapping Resource for Development (RMCRD) have also adopted the Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa and LPI is supporting them with capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives.

On the topic of generation and dissemination of evidence to inform and raise the awareness on the situation of land governance in Africa, the LPI undertook continental and regional assessment as well as thematic researches on large land-based investment, women’s land rights, land administration, land ethnicity and conflict, urban development, resilience and climate change. The documents are available online.

In response to the challenges of insufficient human resources and inadequate technical capacity LPI has engaged with other continental institutions (e.g. RCMRD and IDEP) to provide capacity development support and to improve the quality of education and research on land also by elaborating a guideline for the development of an academic curriculum on land policy and land management.

The LPI has also fostered inclusive policy dialogue and technical coordination by supporting the Joint Working Group on Farming, Forestry and Rural Land Management, intergovernmental knowledge sharing workshops, and grassroots and Civil Society Organization networks in collaboration with the International Land Coalition.

The LPI has also put a lot of efforts on gender-related issues as one of the critical areas for action identified by the AU declaration. The recruitment of a land and gender specialist has allowed to elaborate a LPI Gender Strategy that will be published soon and will support the mainstreaming of gender throughout all their activities. As part of these efforts, LPI organized a side event during the week of the Committee of World Food Security (CFS) on secure land tenure for women and prepared a module for training on gender and land that will be adapted to national challenges thanks to field consultation. Moreover, LPI aims to specifically target women through their support to the Kilimanjaro Initiative and the campaign of 30 per cent minimum land certificate for women land ownership.

Par Anja Rabezanahary, Junior Professional Officer, Genre et inclusion sociale, FIDA

Que veulent les jeunes ruraux ? C’est la question que pose le FIDA pour la Journée Internationale de la jeunesse . En cette année 2016, les Nations Unies ont choisi comme thème - La route vers 2030: Éliminer la pauvreté et parvenir à des modes de consommation et de production durables.

"Le monde compte un milliard de jeunes qui portent en eux un milliard d’espoirs d’un avenir meilleur, un milliard d’idées pour changer le monde." (un.org)

Six jours pour se mettre en route vers le changement

Notre vision : développer la couture et exporter nos produits.

Tout commence par une vision

Les jeunes discutent, définissent et dessinent  leur vision collective.

Une vision à réaliser avec tous les membres du ménage, du groupe et de la communauté

Une méthodologie très appréciée par le personnel du FORMAPROD

Des jeunes femmes discutent des inégalités au sein de leurs ménages

Les conseillers en insertion professionnelle des jeunes du projet.

In honour of International Youth Day, held annually on 12 August, IFAD is highlighting seven rural youth from around the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face, and to discover what they need in order to improve their lives and feed the world.


Name: Jean Lomi
Age: 25
Location:  Andranomandevy, Boeny region, Madagascar

In this interview, Sandra Paulina Segin, a research intern for IFAD in Madagascar, spoke with Jean Lomi, a young fish breeder. Lomi’s family has a long history of working in agriculture and he was recently involved in the IFAD-funded Support Programme for the Rural Microenterprise Poles and Regional Economies (PROSPERER),  which focuses on increasing the incomes of poor rural people through small and micro rural enterprises.

Below is their conversation -
 
Q: Describe what you do to earn a living.

“I am involved in our family agricultural enterprise. I help my parents tend to rice, manioc, corn, sweet potato and poultry. In 2014, I started fish cultivation. This is my own work, for which my parents have granted me a parcel of land. So far, I have one fish pond.”

Q: How did you get into this type of work?

“Before PROSPERER, other development agencies were promoting fish cultivation, but they soon had to abandon the projects. In 2014, PROSPERER came to our village and engaged with those who previously cultivated fish, and put in place a program in which the experienced farmers encouraged us – the young people – to take up production. They taught us how to build ponds, and the programme gave us young fish to start production. I have been active in this sector ever since.”

Q: What are the challenges you face in a rural community?

“There is a lot of unemployment in my community. People either have land they do not tend to, or don’t have any land. That creates insecurity – there are a lot of issues of stolen fish, crops or farm animals. We also have little access to capital to jumpstart production. And there are issues with land scarcity – many people find it hard to get access to land so that they can cultivate. Oh, and soil fertility – here in coastal Boeny, the soil is not very fertile.”

Q: How do you overcome these challenges?

“When it comes to soil fertility, I use compost or manure. It requires extra work but always pays off. I treat the water for fishes with special fertilizers as well. When it comes to land scarcity – I think there are always ways if people are committed.”

Q: And did you receive any support when you started?

“Yes, well, we are united in a cooperative for young farmers, and when we all started fish cultivation, we helped build the ponds. So we would spend three days building each member’s pond – mine included. And, as mentioned, we got the first batch of fish from the programme.”

Q: What do you think are the biggest opportunities for young people?

“We are strong and can work very hard, and be very productive. We can also take more risks than the others, be more innovative, and try new things – like the fish ponds. We are keener to succeed, more invested in what we do.”

Q: What do you think governments and development agencies can do to support rural people in your area?

“I think financial support from the government would be a great idea, a fund to help us start more activities. We are really determined to succeed, but many of us are constrained by lack of funds – so despite having the power and will to tend to four or more ponds, we only have means and land to have one. We need guidance and help, as well as their encouragement.”

Q: Some people have a negative view of farming, agriculture, and rural areas? What would you say to that?

“A lot of young people move to the cities, but there are not that many jobs there – they may end up unemployed or with a bad job. In the village, we have always food, and we have our families and community; we can always rely on each other. Our life is simple, and we are fond of it.”

Q: What has been the greatest lesson you learned so far?

“In 2013 I cultivated rice, but I did not maintain the field. I didn’t even do the hoeing. I thought it would be ok. But in the end, my harvest was decimated. I learned that you have to put in the hard work to obtain good yields.”

Q: Who inspires you in life?

“I do not know his name, but we went on an exchange visit to a big fish cultivator. He had multiple ponds, most cemented – for different fish breeds, for pregnant fish – all divided into sections. It was a great, highly developed enterprise – I would like to one day to be as successful as that man.”

Q: What advice would you give to young people who want to do what you’re doing?

“Take risks, have patience, and take ownership of your work.”

Q: What is your dream?

“I would like to build a nice house, for my children to be educated and become a part of civil service. I would like to own a motorbike, maybe a car!”

New photo-film: mapping soil diversity in Tanzania

The second ''photo-film'' of a  two-part series, "The Ground Beneath Your Feet," launched this week during Global Soil Week, where the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) is highlighting the importance of soil, whilst debating the latest science and technology as well as methods for preserving this vital natural resource. 

In Lushoto, Tanzania, a cluster of ''climate-smart villages'' supported by  Climate Change and Food Security's (CCAFS) nestle in the stunning Eastern Arc Mountains, stretching between Tanzania and Kenya. The richly diverse landscape is a biodiversity hotspot with its sloping hillsides supporting a wide range of agricultural produce - from vegetables, beans, sugarcane and cassava to agroforestry.

But this diversity of crops takes a toll on the soils in which they are grown. Sloping land is becoming exposed to increasing rainfall, which is washing precious top soil away. Without replacing nutrients in the soil, or better management of the  soils on the steep slopes, Lushoto’s diversity will likely disappear.

Soil health is measured through indicators such as organic carbon. In Lushoto, carbon per kilogram of soil can vary massively between 15 and 150 grams within 10 kilometers. Designed originally by the World Agroforestry Centre, the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework has been updated and implemented globally by CIAT and regional partners, such as IFAD's Adaption for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP), to map the landscape and show variability in dynamic soil properties.

Scientists are now linking soil health data with household survey data on cropping diversity, perceptions of climate change, and gender. Together with socio-economic data, it allows them to better understand and address farming system constraints. Lab tests help further identify soil nutrient quantities such as nitrogen content, building up a rich map of the soil. 

Written by Steve Twomlow, Lynn Kota and Norman Mavuso

The IFAD-supported Lower Usuthu Sustainable Land Management Project (LUSLM, also known as LUSIP-GEF) walked off with four awards at the Swaziland World Water Day Awards in March. LUSLM was showered with accolades, including first place for best photograph depicting water and sustainable development, and first place for sustainable practices.

Water is a fundamental resource, vital for human survival and ecological life, thus it is a key element for sustainable development. This picture shows a Ferro-cement rainwater harvester, it is 1,700 liters. The family is now getting clean water within the yard instead of walking long distances to fetch water, giving the girl child plenty time to do other beneficial activities, like doing school work. ©Norman Mavuso

LUSLM did not stop there though, raking in two second-place awards. These awards recognized LUSM's community outreach and awareness creation on water and sustainable development. The project was awarded for showcasing activities on the water-harvesting techniques it promotes, including rooftop cement rainwater harvesting; infield ripper farrow and basin water harvesting; and water harvesting through land rehabilitation on degraded land and dongas.

LUSLM won the best photo award for an image of a family collecting water from their roof water harvester. For the sustainable practices award, the project was judged the best in the country in terms of community initiatives that have employed good water-management practices. These initiatives have sustained LUSLM's water-related projects, rendering them effectively operational for a long time.

National Project Manager Lynn Kota receiving one of the World Water Day Awards on behalf of the LUSLM team. © Norman Mavuso

For awareness creation, all organizations taking part in the World Water Day Awards were judged on how they raise awareness about the importance of proper water use and management – and the underlying issues which affect water availability and distribution. For community outreach, each project was judged for ''making a mark that can never be erased.'' LUSLM did this by uplifting and empowering communities with activities such as provision of water, sanitation and food-security measures for the rural poor.

The LUSLM Project team, in Swazi traditional attire, with the awards at the project offices. © Norman Mavuso

1.       Upper Tana Natural Resources Management Project (UTaNRMP): The IFAD project addresses the key link between poverty and natural resources degradation from an Integrated Participatory Approach involving local communities. The project intervention focuses on livelihood improvement activities, which result in better management of the environment.

2.       The Cgiar Research Program on Climate Change & Food Security (CCAFS), and Dryland Agriculture in Wote, Makueni County:  This project has dedicated learning sites aimed at understanding the interactions, synergies and trade-offs between climate change and agriculture in ASAL areas. The intervention is based on an integrated approach and shows how community resilience to climate change is greatly increased through localizing weather information and disseminating this in a timely manner to farmers so that they can make informed decisions on what to plant and when.

3.       The Community of Balich and the Adaptation Learning Programme (ALP), developed by CARE Kenya in the Garissa region: Through a community-based adaptation process, ALP has been working in partnership with the local communities in Garissa since 2011 to support the development and implementation of their own responses to climate change and adaptation strategies.