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Contracting Authority: European Commission

Inclusive and Sustainable Value Chains and Food Fortification

ANNEX 1 – Description of the Action

Budget line: 21.020704

EuropeAid/151093/DH/ACT/Multi of 31

Acronyms

AEW Agriculture Extension WorkerBCC Behavior Change CommunicationCIP International Potato Center/CSPro United States Open Access Data Software for household data analysisDA Development AgentDVM Decentralized Vine MultipliersESA Ethiopian Standards AgencyEU European CommissionFANEL Food Analysis and Nutritional Evaluation LaboratoryFFI Food Fortification InitiativeFTC Farmer Training CenterHBT Healthy Baby ToolkitHDA Health Development Army/Health Development AgentHEW Health Extension WorkerHLC Healthy Living ClubIYCF Infant and Young Child FeedingM&E Monitoring and EvaluationMoH Ministry of HealthNGO Non-government OrganizationOCS One Corporate SystemODK Open Data KitOFSP Orange-Fleshed SweetpotatoPIN People in NeedPSC Project Steering CommitteeQDPM Quality Declared Planting MaterialQDS Quality Declared SeedRAE Retinol Activity Equivalent (Vitamin A)RSPH Rollins School Of Public Health (at Emory University)SARI SNNPR Agricultural Research InstitutesSASHA Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in AfricaSME Small and Medium EntrepreneurSNNPR Southern Nations, Nationalities And Peoples RegionSPHI Sweetpotato for Profit and Health InitiativeToT Training of TrainersUH University of HawassaVAD Vitamin A DeficiencyWAO Woreda Agriculture OfficeWHO Woreda Health OfficeZAO Zonal Agriculture Office


1 General information

Reference of the call for proposals EuropeAid/151093/DH/ACT/Multi

[Lot number you are applying to:] Lot 2 – Food Fortification

Number of the proposal1 FOOD/2016/151093-2/36

Name of the lead applicant International Potato Center (CIP)

Title of the action Sustained Diet Quality Improvement by Fortification with Climate-smart, Nutrition-Smart Orange-fleshed Sweetpotato in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia

Location of the action SNNP Region of Ethiopia (see Map 1)

Duration of the action 54 months

1 When the Contracting Authority has evaluated the concept note it informs the lead applicant of the outcome and allocates a proposal number.


Map 1 Project Action Zones in SNNPR, Ethiopia

2 The action

2.1 Description of the action

2.1.1.1 Overview of how the undertaken actions will improve the situation of beneficiariesThere are two major benefits to the beneficiaries: having a reliable, bioavailable source of vitamin A and energy in their food system and better knowledge and practices on how to improve the quality of the diet fed to the young child and to the whole family. Moreover, the capacity of government personnel in extension services and based at Farmer Training Centers (FTCs) and non-governmental organization (NGOs) partners to engage with farmers, both men and women, to produce quality orange-fleshed sweetpotato planting material, manage its production to maximize yields under a variety of conditions, prepare the crop in ways that take advantage of its’ high nutritional content, and market any surplus will be enhanced.

Previous research has established that if we raise consumption levels of vitamin A rich foods in young children significantly (50-300%), there is a subsequent improvement in vitamin A status 2,3 and a reduction in the incidence of diarrhea4. Children under five years of age and pregnant and lactating women are most at risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD)5. Hence, our outcome measures are focused in increasing intakes of vitamin A rich foods among these two target groups, especially orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP). This is because the latter is easy to grow under a range of agro-ecologies and that only 500 square meters of production can provide enough vitamin A for a family of five. As OFSP is a biofortified crop, it is also a source of dietary energy and has good levels of several other micronutrients (vitamins C, K, E, and several B vitamins) and minerals (phosphorus, manganese). OFSP varieties in use in Ethiopia mature in 3.5-5 months. Roots are typically harvested piecemeal, i.e. the larger roots pulled out of the ground when needed, leaving the smaller roots to grow further, over several months. Hence, OFSP can improve food security by providing access to calories and micronutrients during the hunger period which occurs when harvested grain stocks run out but the new grain crop is not ready (June-July). Moreover, households with access to valley bottoms with residual moisture or irrigation can grow three sweetpotato crops annually (Figure 1). Sweetpotato is an ideal crop for SNNPR, which has small average landholding sizes (0.88 hectares per household), as sweetpotato produces more energy per unit time per unit area (194 MJ (46,367 Kcal)/ha/day) than any grain crop (for example, 145 MJ (34,656 Kcal)/ha/day for maize)6.

The International Potato Center (CIP), in collaboration with the Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), based in Hawassa, Ethiopia, has been engaged in the introduction of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP), into selected Woredas of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) since 2008 with support from USAID and Irish Aid. The work has been on the agronomic side, with OFSP awareness creation, collaborating with Hawassa University in exploring the potential for OFSP processed products. People in Need (PIN), a Czech NGO, has been active in the SNNPR since 2003, engaged in strengthening the Government’s agricultural extension system in 5 Woredas of SNNPR and improving maternal and child nutrition and household water and sanitation. PIN approached CIP with the desire to bring together PIN’s agriculture extension and CIP’s biofortification expertise to sustainably address VAD in SNNP Region. Most recently, a successful pilot led by CIP linking OFSP access to health services for pregnant women was completed in Kenya, with the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) at Emory University as a key research and evaluation partner. Emory has extensive experience in designing, implementing and evaluating maternal and child nutrition programs and houses the global secretariat for the Food Fortification Initiative, an international partnership of public institutions and private industries that provides global leadership on food fortification efforts. Each partner has unique skills which will enable the building of a successful public-private sector partnership to construct an inclusive and sustainable multi-sectoral value chain exploiting the full potential of vitamin A rich OFSP. We see this effort as highly complementary to the new Phase of the Irish Aid project due to start in 2017 in SNNPR, Tigray The latter will focus on advocacy and integration across the Woredas in SNNPR and at the

2 Low, J.W., et al., A food-based approach introducing orange-fleshed sweet potatoes increased vitamin A intake and serum retinol concentrations in young children in rural Mozambique. J Nutr, 2007. 137(5): p. 1320-7.

3 Hotz, C., et al., Introduction of beta-carotene-rich orange sweet potato in rural Uganda resulted in increased vitamin A intakes among children and women and improved vitamin A status among children. J Nutr, 2012. 142(10): p. 1871-80.

4 Jones, K.M. and A. de Brauw, Using Agriculture to Improve Child Health: Promoting Orange Sweet Potatoes Reduces Diarrhea. World Development, 2015. 74: p. 15-24.

5 Girard, A.W., et al., The Effects of Household Food Production Strategies on the Health and Nutrition Outcomes of Women and Young Children: A Systematic Review. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 2012. 26: p. 205-222.

6 Woolfe, J.A., Sweet potato : an untapped food resource. 1992, Cambridge England ; New York: Cambridge University Press. xv, 643 p.


regional level and institutionally training programs for extension personnel in government institutions. In addition, we anticipate that the Irish Aid project will sponsor exchange visits between OFSP farmers in different areas, from outside woredas not targeted through these two projects, to encourage peer-to-peer learning.It is expected that this peer-to-peer learning will initiate the process of institutionalization within BOA.

Figure 1: How Sweetpotato (SP) fits into the SNNPR agricultural calendarJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Belg Rains Kiremt Rains (Meher)Meher planting periods

Belg Planting Best Planting Time Planting in Residual Moisture in ValliesMeher SP Harvest Belg SP Harvest Meher SP Harvest

SP harvest planted in residual moistureHunger Season Grain Harvest

Improving on our previous efforts. Sweetpotato is widely grown in 2 regions of Ethiopia, Oromia and SNNPR. Key localities of SNNPR include Sidama, Wolayta, and Gamo Gofa Zones7. The project will expand OFSP in Sidama and expand into neighbouring Gedeo Zone, of similar agro-ecology. CIP has been working closely with SARI and national regulators to develop a reasonably costed Quality Declared Seed (QDS) inspection system for trained farmer vine multipliers and to improve the capacity of SARI to multiply sufficient stocks of disease-free pre-basic seed to provide to these multipliers. This investment will pay off because the use of quality seed leads to significant yield increases (30-200%). CIP has already developed substantial Trainer of Trainers (ToTs) manuals on all aspects of sweetpotato production and utilization, and many SNNPR appropriate recipes. With PIN’s close ties to the government’s Farmer Training Center (FTC) services since 2011, the integration of OFSP vine multiplication and demonstration sites into FTC operations will be facilitated. Likewise, access to Health Extension Workers (HEWS) and Health Development Agents (HDAs) for further training and participation in the project will be expedited due to PIN’s strong collaboration with the Ministry of Health. CIP will bring its experience in coordinating integrated agriculture-nutrition projects and building value chains with agro-processors. CIP and RSPH will ensure effective research design and implementation, and quality progress monitoring. Although CIP has implemented nutrition components before, additional improvement in this area is critically needed. The recently completed, fiver year Alive and Thrive effort (2009-2014) to improve complementary feeding practices in SNNPR succeeded in increasing minimum meal frequency from 46% to 70%, but adequate diet diversity among young children only improved from 6% to 12%8. Providing caregivers a low-input, productive, easy to grow rich source of vitamin A that they can also sell empowers them to be able to provide more vitamin A rich foods through home cultivation or purchase. Moreover, there is a real need to get caloric intake among young children improved. The SNNP region has the worst levels of child energy intake (468 Kcal/day) in the country9. Any proved improvements in the delivery of the integrated agriculture-nutrition-marketing model will be shared with other stakeholders and sweetpotato projects and programs.

Below we describe by target group, how the proposed action intends to improve their situation and capacities by result. Note that details on the measureable levels of change to be achieved among the different target groups are specified in the log frame.

Table 1 Results by target group

Result 1: 53 decentralized OFSP vine multiplication sites, operated by trained Development Agents (DAs) of Farmer Training Centers (FTCs) and selected private farmers, provide 15,000 local households with the inputs and know-how required for a homestead production of OFSPTarget groups Improvement of their situation and capacities15,000 poor households with children under 2 or pregnant/lactating mothers

Improved food security and diversification of their agricultural production Improved knowledge and skills for OFSP production and harvesting Direct support of OFSP vines for their household production of OFSP Improved long-term access to technical support and inputs from FTCs Future support from extension services will be more nutrition-sensitive.

9 Decentralized Vine Improved income generation and business opportunities.

7 Gurmu F., Hussein S., Laing M. (2015) Diagnostic assessment of sweetpotato a production in Ethiopia: Constraints, post-harvesting handling and farmers’ preferences. Res on Crops 16(1): 104-115.

8 Alive &Thrive (2014) Improving child feeding practices to prevent malnutrition Alive & Thrive’s approach & results in Ethiopia, 5 p.9 Ethiopian Public Health Institute (2013) Ethiopian National Food Consumption Survey, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 70 p.


Multipliers (DVMs) The DVMs will be established as either individuals or small groups of up to 6 people. They will receive materials and resources required for multiplying vines. All other multiplication sites will be based at FTCs

82 Health and 82 Government Agriculture Extension Workers

Knowledge and skills for OFSP production and post-harvest management Improved skills in adult learning methods for improved know-how transfer Transport support through the provision of bicycles will increase work efficiency Agricultural Extension Workers will have access to a revolving fund and their vine

multiplication activity will also bring in additional income that can be used for further development of the FTC activities.

Health Extension Workers will have the ability to refer people to sources for improved sweetpotato planting material

3 Woreda Agriculture Offices (WAOs) and its staff and all Woredas in SNNPR via radio and agricultural shows

Improved knowledge and skills for OFSP production and handling The FTCs that come under the management of the WAOs will have increased

financial resources, enabling the WAO to expand their activities.

3 Woreda and Regional Health Offices and its staff in detail and all Woredas in SNNPR via radio

Increased knowledge for advising others on how to access OFSP for VAD reduction.

Local inhabitants Improved long-term access to technical support and inputs from FTCs Direct support from the 15,000 target households (HH), who have the obligation

to share their vines after the first harvest with 4 other HHs. The total population of the 41 kebeles (2014 estimate) is 309,772, approximately 53,000 HHs.

Result 2: At least 15,000 women and 10,000 men are aware of OFSP’s benefits, recipes for their use and child nutrition practices, gained through participating in 500 Healthy Life Clubs (HLCs).Target groups Improvement of their situation and capacities15,000 women (including pregnant/lactating mothers)

Improved vitamin A status, dietary diversity and reduction in morbidities. Improved knowledge and understanding of good nutrition practices, the

requirements of different groups (e.g. themselves, children <2 years) and recipes for vitamin A rich meals.

Increased engagement of their husbands to address nutritional issues Increased communication and support from improved health extension service

10,000 men Improved vitamin A status, dietary diversity and VAD-related morbidities. Although husbands of all the target women will be invited to participate in the

HLCs, from previous experience it is expected that approximately two thirds will attend. The attendees will have better nutritional knowledge and better gender-based understanding and collaboration.

Other family members

Improved vitamin A status, dietary diversity and VAD-related morbidities.

5000 children <2 A sub-set of 5,000 HHs with children <2 years of age will receive support and training on using marked feeding bowls and slotted spoons that should improve the caloric intake of the children <2 years of age.

Health Development Army volunteers (HDAs)

Improved nutritional knowledge and skills for behavioral change communication including adult learning methods.

In-kind support for conducting their work (back-packs and training materials).Government Health Extension Workers (HEWs)

Increased effectiveness of the health extension framework with active and able Health Development Agents that should help reduce the work-burden on the Health Extension Workers for their responsibility of reducing undernutrition.

Skills for behavioral change communication incl. adult learning methods and gender approaches.

Improved access to resources (training materials and technical references) for nutritional behavioral change.

Woreda Health Office Increased effectiveness of the health extension framework which should improve the ability of the Woreda Health Office to reach nutrition-related targets set by the Zonal and Regional Health Bureaus. Health extension workers from


outside woredas become aware through exchange visits.Local inhabitants Improved health extension services.

Improved awareness of vitamin A and OFSP benefitsResult 3: Improved supply of and demand for OFSP products in the urban areas with the increased consumption of vitamin A by at least 61,427 beneficiaries.Target groups Improvement of their situation & capacitiesPoor urban consumers

Increased frequency of intake of vitamin A & accessible to affordable sources Widespread awareness of what is vitamin A and its role in the body and that

OFSP is an excellent source of vitamin A Access to an inexpensive energy source & source of other micronutrients Reduced hunger pains, as sweetpotato is filling

Better off urban consumers

Access to a convenient source of vitamin A Widespread awareness of what is vitamin A and its role in the body and that

OFSP is an excellent source of vitamin A Increased frequency of intake of vitamin A Increased abilities to prepare diverse dishes that include OFSP Increased intakes of dietary fiber and awareness of how to avoid foods that

enhance risk of diabetesAgro-processors- formal

Profits from investing in a new market with limited competition Substitution of wheat flour with sweetpotato that can be locally grown Improved quality of baked products through combined use of OFSP and

fortified wheat flour Improved techniques for producing processed products Improved knowledge and capacity for being compliant with food safety

standards and proper labelling Respect as a socially responsible company Enhanced capacity to make quality products

Agro-processors—informal

New livelihood opportunity with low entry costs, particularly benefiting youth Profits from investing in OFSP products Improved techniques for producing processed products Enhanced capacity to make quality products Increased access to lower cost sources of vitamin A Increased capacity for implementing simple food safety and hygiene practices

Traders Capacity on negotiating with farmers and building trust improved Increased diversity in portfolio of traded products Improved techniques for post-harvest handling of any type of sweetpotato Increased understanding of their profit margins Improved efficiency along to marketing chain due to improved communication

and planningFarmers and/or Clubs growing roots for commercial purposes

Farmers have reliable markets for their roots going to processors Increased capacity to produce quality roots (no weevil; not cut) Increased capacity to negotiate with traders Increased capacity to increase yields from OFSP fields Increased access to vitamin A on-farm

Vine multipliers (FTCs and private)

Profits from increased farmer willingness to pay for vines since there is a regular demand for roots

Increased potential to diversify into root production & engage in vine-root enterprise as a business

University of Hawassa (UH) students

Increased capacity to conduct rapid assessments and consumer studies Increased awareness of potential of agro-processing as career Increased knowledge about vitamin A and where to source vitamin A rich

foodsDevelopment Agents

Increased capacity to facilitate building linkages between traders and farmers and traders with agro-processors

Increased capacity to train farmers and farmer groups on how to plan production schedules and operate sweetpotato production as a business

Policy Makers at regional level and Local Leaders; Nutrition platforms at regional and national level

Increased knowledge about the food security and health benefits of OFSP and bio fortification in general

Increased awareness of the potential for diversified product develop using a crop that all classes of farmers can produce in SNNPR

Enhanced respect as leader seeking to improve the livelihoods of his/her citizens


Access to investment and implementation guides to help expand OFSP activities in other government initiative.

Result 4: After evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention during the first 3 years (baseline & endline surveys & cost analysis), recommended value for money models for large-scale OFSP dissemination begin to be integrated into the SNNP Region’s agricultural extension and health promotion systemsTarget groups Improvement of their situation & capacitiesProfessors and Students

Access to latest tools in monitoring, including ODK software systems and tablets and how to use them

Knowledge on how to develop and implement a robust monitoring system Experience in how to design and conduct gender-aware rapid assessments in

agricultural roles and value chains Experience in design and conducting 24 hour recall consumption surveys Improved capacity to write proposals for nutrition-sensitive research for

development interventionsDevelopment Agents and Health Extension Agents

Access to latest tools in monitoring, including ODK software systems and tablets and how to use them

Access to guides and manuals on sweetpotato production and utilization Improved skills in collecting and recording data Understanding of the critical importance of vitamin A to health Understanding of the role the Healthy Baby Toolkit (see section 4.5.1) might

play in improving levels of energy and vitamin A intake in young children Improved knowledge on how to plan and implemented an integrated

agriculture-nutrition-marketing intervention & access new informationSweetpotato Breeders

Feedback on performance of existing OFSP varieties Improved capabilities to engage with farmers in participatory evaluations

Farmer Training Centers & Private Multipliers

Skills to multiply and maintain quality OFSP vines Respect as local centers of knowledge on all aspects of sweetpotato

production & post-harvest handling (avoiding root damage, curing) Improved planning capacity & well-linked to national research program (SARI) Capacity to successful operate a revolving fund

Regional & Woreda BoAs

Improved planning capacity & ability to successfully incorporate sweetpotato Understanding of the critical importance of vitamin A to health

Ministry of Health & selected SUN platform members

Understanding of the potential role the Healthy Baby Toolkit might play in improving overall levels of energy and vitamin A intake in young children

Skill levels of staff enhanced to deliver effective nutrition messages

Policy Makers and Local Leaders

Understanding of benefits and costs of the integrated OFSP interventions Improved capacities to know how to access desired information concerning

integrated agriculture-nutrition interventions.

2.1.1.2 Description of activities by resultFour distinct results were outlined in the concept note. These have not changed and the activities to be undertaken to achieve them are described by result below. There were two significant changes from the concept note. First is the reduction of the project’s duration from 60 to 54 months. This was driven by the decline in the value of the Euro, which became apparent as we prepared the detailed budget. Second is the reduction in the number of target kebeles from 53 to 41. During the preparatory stakeholder consultation visits for this proposal, 12 kebeles were deemed too cold (due to altitude) for good sweetpotato production.

Activities under Result 1: Improving supply

Activity 1.1.1 Qualitative research on women and men’s roles along the OFSP value chainGender relations are complex and vary by culture and socio-economic setting. We are committed to ensuring that women in particular are not made worse off by an intervention and that their condition and status is improved. We are also committed to improving men’s knowledge and condition so that overall household well-being is enhanced. Hence, at the outset a CIP regional gender specialist will conduct a 3 week rapid assessment along with the CIP value chain specialist and agronomist, the People in Need (PIN) extension leader and a UH nutrition student so that the current roles of men and women in farming and marketing, trade, processing and food purchasing are fully understood. In preparation, the gender specialist will review relevant literature and develop a series of guidelines for focus group discussions and interviews with key informants. The results are expected to improve the design of the implementation strategy, training programs, and techniques for working with adult men and women.


Activity 1.1.2 Demonstration trials of OFSP in each major site & acceptability assessmentThe assessment on agro-ecological suitability which was conducted by CIP identified 41 kebeles as suitable for sweetpotato production but none of these kebeles are growing OFSP. Although there are many OFSP varieties available in Ethiopia they have different levels of performance and taste characteristics. We need to understand performance and farmer preferences at different locations. In the demonstration trial:

Demonstration plots will be established to evaluate the agronomic performance of at least six OFSP varieties under 4 different selected locations (2 in each location). CIP will collect relevant agronomic data during the demonstration and PIN will organize farmers field days to create awareness of the OFSP varieties where farmers will have an opportunity to taste the varieties.

Farmers will select and recommend the variety they prefer and at least two varieties will be recommended for wide-scale multiplication.

Having participatory demonstration trials will increase the adoption rate of OFSP because suitable varieties for the kebele will have been selected, with farmers taking part in that selection process.

Activity 1.1.3 Trainer-of-Trainers course for Extension Personnel concerning OFSP CIP has many years of experience of producing technical and training materials on OFSP for field staff and communities. CIP will adapt and translate this material to make it suitable for the agricultural extension program of Ethiopia, with the view that these materials can in the future be handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture for scaling up OFSP production in other areas of Ethiopia. The materials will be composed of:

7 manuals (13 modules) for the 10 day Everything you Ever Wanted to Know about Sweetpotato Training of Trainers (ToT), learning by doing course; and

Brochures and teaching aids for agricultural extension workers to use when training farmers. The topics will cover good planting techniques, managing viruses and pests (especially weevil), good harvesting techniques, vine conservation, and Triple S (root conservation in sand; then re-sprouting for planting material). The teaching aids will be primarily pictorial to overcome the issue of illiteracy.

One copy of the 7 manuals will be given to each of the FTCs and graduates of the ToT course who will be training other extension personnel. Brochures and teaching aids will be provided to PIN and DAs.

The Woreda Agriculture Office (WAO) and its experts supervise the activities of the FTCs. The Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO) supervises the WAO. In order to engage the Office staff and ensure the sustainability of production, training will be provided to 20 Zonal and WAO staff and also to PIN Extension Officers, following the development of the technical and training materials. To evaluate the effectiveness of the training, it will include pre- and post-tests. The course will be 10 days long and will enable the attendees to have a broad knowledge on all aspects of sweetpotato production and utilization and be able to effectively work with adults using their new learning by doing training techniques.

Activity 1.1.4 Identification, training and material support to the target FTCs and farmers-entrepreneurs producing and multiplying OFSP vines.In the field assessment for this proposal, 41 FTCs in the 3 target Woredas were identified as having potential and suitable agro-ecology for the production of OFSP. However, 9 of these FTCs do not have their own land for demonstration activities. The project will therefore work with a combination of FTCs and Decentralized Vine Multipliers (DVMs) for the production and multiplication of OFSP vines. The identified sites have varying levels of water access required for vine multiplication. Typical material support will consist of a water tank, motorized/rope washer pump, simple irrigation facilities, and a water harvesting pond (most FTCs have this but require plastic sheeting to maximize water retention).

CIP has been researching different appropriate technologies for improving the Triple S method, which is a post-harvest management technique in which roots are stored in sand as the “seed” for the next season’s planting material. For example, CIP is testing the use of local clay pots filled with sand instead of plastic buckets, since the latter’s use in Ethiopia is limited. Demonstration trials of the Triple S method will be done in the Sidama Zone kebeles where vine maintenance during the dry season is more difficult than in the Gedeo Zone kebeles.

Health and agriculture personnel as well as the DVM farmers from the same community will be trained jointly in order to improve linkages and communication. The training will have the objectives of providing the extension workers with the necessary knowledge and training skills to promote OFSP in the communities. The training will therefore consist of:

It will draw on the formative research of activity 1.1 so that they can address and use the barriers and motivations for promoting OFSP in communities;

Skills for effective knowledge transfer including principles of adult learning and examples of participatory methods;

OFSP production, storage and vine conservation;


Sweetpotato as a business and where relevant (for FTCs), using a revolving fund; and Extension workers from each kebele will design their own action plan for promoting OFSP, taking

into consideration the project’s targets.

Each training will include pre- and post-tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. The project will take a staggered approach to establishing the vine multiplication sites so that lessons learnt can be incorporated into the future years. In the first year, 13 sites will be established (at 10 FTCs and 3 DVMs) and in total 32 FTCs and 9 DVMs will be established over the course of the project. Further details are provided in the Table 1. The trainings will therefore also be staggered; a total of 182 agricultural extension workers, farmer entrepreneurs and health extension workers will receive a three-day training over the course of the project. Each training will serve of a maximum of 20 people. FTCs often suffer from high staff turnover and therefore refresher trainings will be provided during the intervention. The first training will be provided jointly by CIP and PIN Extension Officers, for the following trainings PIN Extension Officers will lead the training. CIP will conduct monthly monitoring of the vine multipliers jointly with the PIN Extension Officers.

Activity 1.1.5 Training of 15,000 female and 10,000 male farmers on OFSP production, storage, and vine conservation by trained extension workers under the supervision of PIN Extension OfficersOnce the vine multiplication sites have been established and the extension workers have been trained the project will begin the outreach into the communities by forming the Healthy Living Club (HLC) groups. The process for assigning one Health Development Army volunteer to each group is described in Activity 2.2. Groups will be formed of the selected households living in closest proximity to each other that have:

Pregnant women or lactating mothers or households with children under 2 years of age; and Access to a minimal land requirement for sweetpotato production of 100m2.

The target rural communities in general are relatively poor. The project will not be limited to targeting only the poorest households of these communities. This will minimize the risk that OFSP is seen as a crop just for the poorest households, but rather as a healthy crop consumed by all classes that can generate markets for farmers. The project extension officers, however, will work to ensure that the poorest members of the community have the option to participate if they wish.

Integrated into the sessions of the HLCs (detailed in activity 2.2), there will be a training for OFSP household production agronomy and planting material conservation, harvesting, post-harvesting and processing. The training will be broken up into 3 different 1 day instalments, in line with the growth cycle of the crop. The training will be conducted by those trained in activity 1.4, under the supervision of PIN’s Extension Workers.

The establishment and training programs of the Healthy Living Clubs will be staggered over the course of the project, see Table 1. This gradual scale-up will allow for lessons learnt to be incorporated. Each group is expected to participate in the project for up to 1 year. The “Reaching End Users” study [2] found that there were no significant differences in the level of vitamin A intake among young children when an additional year of education was provided, 1 year of group sessions was sufficient. If groups can be linked to market opportunities for roots (generated by activities for Result 3), they may continue to operate.

Activity 1.1.6 Design and implement strategy for vine dissemination to households. In alignment with the trainings of the above activity, cuttings (30 cm segments obtained from vines) will be disseminated to the households. The project will purchase the cuttings from the vine multiplication sites at FTCs or DVMs established under the previous activities. This purchase will be based on the conditions that this additional capital will be used by the FTCs and DVMs to reinvest into further production. 600 cuttings will be distributed per household in order to cover slightly more than 100m2 of land (Table 2). This has been calculated considering the high population density and small-land holding size of the target area. Table 2 Target numbers by year for different categories of project actors

Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Total Remark# Woredas

Cum

ulat

ive

3 3 3 3 3# Kebeles 13 29 41 41 41# FTCs established as vine multiplication sites 10 20 32 32 32

# DVMs established as vine multiplication sites 3 9 9 9 9

# Healthy Living Clubs / multiplier (FTC or DVM)

Ann

ual 2 4 5 4 Clubs

operate for 1 year


# Healthy Living Clubs established and trained 26* 116 205 164 511 Over target

to allow for contingency# HHs targeted (30 per

Club) 780 3,480 6,150 4,920 15,330

# cuttings to be provided for each HH 600 600 600 600 To cover

100m2

Total # cuttings required 468,000 2,088,000 3,690,000 2,952,000 9,198,000

# cuttings /multiplier required 36,000 72,000 90,000 72,000

* The sessions of the Clubs established in the first year will spill into the second year due to the required preparatory activities delaying the start of the sessions. Both men and women participate in HLCs.

Activity 1.1.7 Events to promote dissemination to indirect beneficiaries During the distribution under activity 1.6, beneficiary households will commit to providing vines to an additional 4 other indirect beneficiary households in their community, following the first harvest. These indirect beneficiary households will be able to observe and learn directly from the beneficiary households’ farmland. As part of establishing linkages to markets, there will be biannual events held in years 2, 3 and 4 to promote OFSP. These events will bring together processors, traders and producers, show-casing the different OFSP products and rewarding households with high level production. See result 3 for the market system development strategy.

Activity 1.1.8 Integration of OFSP production into FTCs’ annual work plans and budgets.The FTCs together with WAO prepare an annual activities plan, usually prepared in July, which will be implemented under their four main agricultural activities: 1) Off-season irrigation activities; 2) Water-shade development; 3) Belg season; and 4) Meher season (refer to Figure 1). CIP staff will meet and negotiate with Woreda authorities to assure that FTCs and DAs include OFSP activities in their annual work plans starting in year 2 of the project.

Activities under Result 2: Improving demand

Activity 1.2.1 Formative research on key barriers and boosters to OFSP production and consumption and the development of a behavior change communication and promotion strategy. A Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) nutritionist, in collaboration with UH students, will design a protocol for a rapid assessment using focus group discussions to determine key barriers that might inhibit women and/or men from fully utilizing OFSP, from fully participating in HLCs, and in being able to improve their dietary and child feeding practices. The team may select representative women (from different socio-economic strata) to participate in short-term (1 to 2 week trials) to test some new ways of preparing and utilizing different foods in the household.

Based on the results of this research and their previous work, RSPH will adapt existing tools and develop a Healthy Living Club training session guide in English and Amharic and Training Tools in Amharic. Training materials will emphasize the use of pictorial messaging on one side (due to high illiteracy rates) and training notes on the other to help HDAs provided consistent messaging.

Activity 1.2.2 Train health extension personnel on nutrition and behavior change techniquesTraining of Trainers for Health Extension Workers: During the first year, formative research will be undertaken by Emory University to uncover the barriers preventing improved child feeding practices and the mother’s own diet. Methods such as Trials for Improved Practices will be used to explore different pathways for truly getting improved feeding and eating practices adopted. Using the results of the formative research and in line with the Behavior Change Communication (BCC) strategy, health extension workers will receive a ToT course. The training will be aimed at providing the health extension workers (2 per kebele) with the necessary knowledge and skills for strengthening the Health Development Army framework.

As described in result 1, the staggering of the number of kebeles targeted and the establishment of the Healthy Living Clubs (HLCs) will also be applied to the training of Health Extension Workers (HEWs). Training targets are provided in Table 2. The training will draw on the results of the formative research of activity 2.1 and consider the results of activity 1.1. It will provide the required facilitation skills and highlight the key barriers and motivations that need to be addressed and used in order to achieve behavioral change. Following the HLC training guide, the training will:

Incorporate techniques for engaging men in nutrition in the household; How to engage with those influencing your ability to change and derive win-win solutions Present nutrition requirements of different HH members and good IYCF practices; Demonstrate how to present recipes during cooking demonstrations using OFSP; Discuss how to approach training basic hygiene and sanitation practices; and


Present techniques for managing and monitoring the performance of HDAs.

The training will be conducted by PIN Extension Officers and be 3 days in length. The training will be staggered in line with the entry period of different kebeles, shown in Table 3.

Training of Health Development Army volunteers (HDAs): Each HLC will be managed and trained by 1 HDA. The activeness of the HDA’s currently varies between and within kebeles. The HEWs will collect names of people who are active in their community in promoting healthy behavior and be in charge of assigning 1 HDA to each group. To ensure the sustainability of the HDA system, and in alignment with government policy, the HDAs will not be paid for their work in any form of cash-incentive. Instead the project will provide a small set of materials to facilitate their work such as a back-pack and umbrella.

The trained HEWs will provide a three-day training, split into one day installments to ensure maximum knowledge uptake, to the HDAs, under the supervision of PIN Extension Officers. The training will enable the HDAs to lead the HLC Sessions with the required:

Facilitation skills to find solutions with communities to the challenges they have in practicing improved nutritional behavior;

Skills to use the training materials for practical, participative and active sessions; Skills to encourage men to participate in the sessions, and to engage them in the discussions;

and Knowledge on how to monitor and follow up progress on behavioral change in target households.

Table 3 Timeline for creation of Healthy Living Clubs and supporting staff that will be trained

Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Total# DAs (2/kebele) 26 58 82 82 248# HEWs to train (2/kebele) 26 58 82 82 248# HDAs to train 26 116 205 164 511# Health Living Clubs 26 116 205 164 511

# HHs 7803,48

0 6,150 4,920 15,330

Activity 1.2.3 Series of participatory learning events for 15,000 women and 10,000 men in HLCsFollowing the beneficiary selection described in activity 1.5 and HLC establishment described in 2.2., the sessions will begin, facilitated by the HDAs, integrating activities 1.5 and 1.6 into their schedule. Both the wife and husband of the target households will be invited to participate in the sessions so that joint discussions and decisions can be made. The groups will not only be a place of learning, but a space to share experiences on the promoted practices and find solutions to any challenges they have in practicing them. From previous experience, the participation of men is not as high as women and therefore we estimate that 10,000 men will participate in at least 3 of the 8 sessions. PIN Extension Officers and HEWs will conduct regular monitoring visits to evaluate the performance of the HDAs in facilitating the sessions.

Table 4 Training plan summary for activities related to results 1 and 2Activity # & training participants

Provided by

Training participants will be able to Schedule

1.1.3 Zonal and WAO staff and PIN Extension Workers

CIP Provide technical support Promote OFSP and conduct training for others

on OFSP production, harvesting and post-harvest management.

Once, at the beginning of the project.

1.1.4 Agriculture and Health Extension Workers and DVMs

CIP & PIN at first, then

PIN

Establish vine multiplication sites in their kebeles.

Train local farmers on OFSP production, harvesting and post-harvest management using adult learning methods.

Manage a revolving fund and have enhanced business skills

Staggered approach, in line with the target kebeles/year. Refreshment training provided after 1 year.

1.1.5 15,000 households

DAs & HEWs

supervised by PIN

OFSP household production agronomy and planting material conservation, harvesting, post-harvest and processing.

Staggered approach, in line with HLC formation.

1.2.2 Health Extension Workers

PIN (using RSPH

Train HDAs to conduct the different Healthy Living Club sessions using the Healthy Living

Staggered approach, in


resources) Clubs toolkit and training materials. Understand and be able to use the barriers and

motivations to why people change behavior related to nutrition and OFSP.

Manage and monitor HDA performance

line with the target kebeles/year.

1.2.2 Health Development Army volunteers

HEWs, supervised

by PIN

Train target households following the Healthy Living Clubs toolkit.

Discuss with communities to find solutions to the challenges they have in practices improved nutritional behavior.

Engage men in nutrition.


1.2.3 15,000 households

HDAs, supervised by HEWs and PIN

Improved knowledge and understanding of good nutrition practices, the requirements of different groups (e.g. themselves, children <2) & recipes for vitamin A rich meals.


Activities under Result 3: Improving supply of vitamin A to urban consumers

1.3.1 Rapid market assessment of sweetpotato value chain, including perceptions of urban consumers Previous studies have shown that sustained adoption of OFSP is enhanced when smallholder farmers also have an opportunity to commercialize some of their production. To design appropriate interventions there is a need to understand the existing system for commercialization of fresh roots and, as there are no OFSP-based processed products well-established in SNNPR, examine the feasibility of introducing baked and fried OFSP products that have been successfully promoted elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa.

CIP will hire a value chain specialist as project manager that will lead the design and implementation of this component in collaboration with scientists at UH and SARI. A CIP scientist with experience in OFSP product development in other SSA countries will participate in the design. A checklist of relevant questions for all actors along the existing value chains (farmers currently commercializing, root bulkers in the village, wholesale and retail traders, consumers) will be developed, major trade flows of roots identified, and margins for each player for fresh root trade along major chains determined along with volume estimates. Constraints faced by farmers and traders in selling sweetpotato will be clearly identified and proposed solutions discussed with relevant actors in focus group discussions. The degree of existing exposure to OFSP in three urban markets (Hawassa zonal capital, and the towns of Dilla and Chuko) will be ascertained. On the demand side, focus group discussions with traders and consumers will be held to understand current sweetpotato root purchasing practices and barriers to reaching potential consumers.

On the processed product side, current dominant processed products will be identified and the potential for using OFSP as a significant, economically viable ingredient assessed. The key here is to understand which products are purchased by different socio-economic groups in urban centers and the frequency of purchase. Focus groups discussions with relevant sub-groups will be held. For poor consumers, it is essential to understand their purchasing power, which often places a limit on the price that can be charged for a unit of any processed product on the market if this key target group is going to be reached. For all classes of consumers, it is also important to know the degree to which they demand more nutritious foods and more convenient foods and the general state about their knowledge of what constitutes a healthy food. The report generated by six weeks of field work will include findings as well as decisions on design, to assure successful implementation of the market component.

1.3.2 Improve supply of OFSP to the target urban marketsThe final plan for how the marketing team will support the development of OFSP value chains will depend on the outcome of the study described in 3.1. Concerning fresh roots, historically one of the most important roles of CIP is to facilitate the development of strong linkages between farmers and other actors in the chain and enhance farmers’ negotiation skills. In other countries, CIP developed, tested, and improved the gender-responsiveness of a method to facilitate value chain development known as the participatory market chain approach (PMCA). In this approach, relevant actors in the chain are brought together to discuss each one’s role and constraints faced. The key is to build better trust among the actors and generate mutual understanding of the costs and constraints faced. It is critical that a gender-aware approach is taken from the outset, and that targets will be set for female participation, given the tendency for women to be excluded when crops are more commercialized in Ethiopia.

Key issues to be addressed are 1) convincing agro-processors to pay a price for roots slightly above the going-market price to discourage the widespread practice of side-selling that can emerge in any value chain initiative as competing demands for OFSP grow; 2) setting schedules for seasonal price negotiation between parties; and 3) developing realistic production schedules with farmer groups and


individuals to ensure a smoother supply of OFSP and avoid massive gluts and/or shortages. The latter is often accompanied by strategies to improve fresh root storage. The marketing component will ensure that key data on price and availability of all sweetpotato types in major markets is monitored regularly.

1.3.3 Develop and test up to 3 OFSP processed products with a private sector partnerDuring activity 3.1, private sector agro-processing partners will be identified, as will high potential OFSP processed products. CIP’s regional food scientist will work with UH students and the identified private sector processors to develop and test with consumers up to 3 OFSP processed products and evaluate the cost of each product’s production during year 2. Ideally, the OFSP products made for consumer testing will be done at private sector factories, so that potential private sector partners can participate in their development, assuring that the OFSP product is adapted to their existing production lines.

1.3.4 Provide technical support to the private sector partner establishing one processed OFSP product value chainFinal selection of the one or two agro-processors with whom fully developed value chains are to be developed will depend on the processor being willing to invest his/own resources into the endeavor. CIP will mitigate the risk by providing partial subsidies on key pieces of equipment and collaborating in the design and implementation of product promotion activities (activity 3.5).

Once the most economically viable OFSP-based product has been developed, the consultant from Euro Ingredients, with whom CIP has previously and successfully engaged to develop product lines in Rwanda and Kenya, will assist in appropriate equipment selection, recipe refinement and staff training for large-scale production. CIP will also assist in the design of appropriate packaging and nutrition labelling, analyzing products for their beta-carotene content at the regional Food Analysis and Nutritional Evaluation laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya. It is likely that different sizes and types of packaging will be employed so that the OFSP product reaches both low-income and higher-income consumers. Emphasis will be place on training agro-processing staff in food safety protocols so that products meet national standards and the appropriate quality label of approval from the Ethiopian Standards Agency can appear on the packaging.

The CIP value chain expert will work with the selected company to design and implement a business plan and an appropriate marketing strategy. In addition, CIP will work with UH students in the development of improved fried OFSP products for the informal restaurant and fast food sectors, targeting their deployment by youth entrepreneurs. Students will be backstopped in their research protocol development by CIP’s food scientist.

1.3.5 Design and implement an OFSP promotion campaign in targeted urban areasGiven that OFSP is a nutritious product with a distinct visible trait (orange color), experience has shown that acceptance of the roots and processed products and willingness to pay for those products increases when consumers are aware of OFSP’s nutritional value10. Given that most traders and processors are undercapitalized in Ethiopia, CIP will assist with the development and implementation of an OFSP promotion campaign in three targeted urban areas of SNNPR: Hawassa city, Dilla town, and Chuko town.

Although the promotion campaign design will be finalized once the OFSP product for promotion has been developed, past experience has shown that four activities are particularly effective in raising consumer demand: 1) radio jingles: short advertisements with key information on the health properties of OFSP in local languages (in this case, Sidamigna and Gedigna) and the national language (Amharic) in slogan or song form; 2) decorated market stalls (orange color, with appropriate messages) where the roots or OFSP products are consistently sold; 3) promotion events where consumers can taste the product; and 4) permanently placed posters with pictures, citing the product’s nutritional qualities.

Activities under Result 4: Using the evidence to underpin wider adoption of the approach

1.4.1 Design and implement monitoring system for R1 & R2 targetsThis activity will be led by CIP’s full time M&E officer, with two permanent technicians assisting in day-to-day data collection and entry and extension staff training. Key indicators to be captured are those cited in the log frame as critical for assessing the outputs and outcomes of the investment, including11:1) Food insecurity score at household level in rural areas; 2) Frequency of intake of vitamin A rich foods during past 7 days by urban consumers and rural mothers

and children under 5 years of age;3) Percentage of rural children under 5 years of age having minimal acceptable diet; 4) Prevalence of reported diarrhea episodes and other morbidities during past 2 weeks of children under

5 years of age and principal women;5) Rural woman’s dietary diversity index for past 24 hours, including category for biofortified foods;

10 Birol, E., Meenakshi, J.V., Oparinde, A., Perez, S., and Tomlins, K. 2015. Developing country consumers’ acceptance of biofortified foods: a synthesis. Food Security vol. 7 (3), 555-568.

11 Refer to the log frame for the complete list of indicators


6) For urban and rural consumers: awareness of vitamin A and its role in the body & knowing that OFSP is an excellent source of vitamin A;

7) Number of vines distributed of each variety to male and female farmers; and8) Monthly price data for OFSP and other sweetpotato types in 3 markets.For the indicator of the frequency of intake of vitamin A rich foods during the past seven days and an estimate of the amount of OFSP consumed by rural mothers and children, seasonal data collection (twice a year) will be conducted by trained HDAs in a randomly selected sub-sample of women attending HLCs.

1.4.2 Understand the full cost of different components of the interventionWith the ultimate goal of having a model that government partners and other peer agencies can use in other parts of SNNPR and the rest of Ethiopia, it is critical that actual expenditures on different categories of activities are captured and analyzed. In year 1, the intervention will be implemented in a limited number of kebeles (13) and households (780) and any needed adjustments made in protocols for the expansion phase 2 that begins in year 2. At the end of year 1, the system for collecting cost data on a quarterly basis will be designed by CIP in close collaboration with its co-applicants, especially PIN.

The ultimate goal is to be able to determine the total cost of implementing the integrated agriculture-nutrition-marketing model per 5,000 households reached. Understanding the contribution of each distinct component is important as some may only have sufficient resources to fund the agriculture-nutrition component, not the entire package. By the middle of year 4, the cost data will be aggregated and analyzed. The results will inform the negotiation with regional and Woreda level officials within SNNPR about the formal incorporation of this approach into new Woredas.

1.4.3-1.4.5 Plan, conduct, and analyze a baseline, a mid-term assessment, and an endline study These three activities are the core components of the plan to capture the impact of the integrated intervention to ascertain whether the target populations have truly benefited from the effort. There are two distinct components of this work:1. A cross-sectional baseline study that will capture major indicators specified in the log-frame among

rural households, especially among the target group of households with children less than 2 years of age, in kebeles recruited for year 1. There will be a follow-up cross-sectional study in the same kebeles during the same season of the year during year four, among households with children less than 2 years of age and households with children 3-5 years of age.

2. A nested longitudinal study among 200 households with new-born infants through 15 months of age that will: a) capture the key outcome indicator of the amounts of vitamin A and energy consumed by 13-15 month old rural children (disaggregated by sex) in participant compared to non-participant households and b) test whether the use of an innovative toolkit designed to improve child diets can enhance outcomes beyond the broader nutrition promotion activities.

RSPH and CIP scientists will design both studies, but CIP will lead the implementation and write-up of the cross-sectional study and RSPHI the implementation and write-up of the longitudinal study.

1.4.5.1 Further details on the longitudinal study: Value addition of innovative social and behavior change component to improve child diets. As part of the social and behavior change strategy to achieve nutrition objectives we will test whether the use of an innovative toolkit designed to improve child diets can enhance outcomes beyond the broader nutrition promotion activities. The Healthy Baby Toolkit (HBT), designed for use by infants 6-23 months of age, consists of a bowl with lines and symbols that cue age appropriate meal frequency and volume, a slotted spoon that promotes optimal thickness of infant foods and a pictorial counselling card that uses locally adapted images to convey use of the toolkit to achieve optimal infant and young child feeding practices as well as messages on dietary diversity, handwashing and safe preparation of food and water. Formative research in India, Kenya and Malawi found the toolkit to be easy to use by families, highly acceptable and with potential to have substantial impacts on critical infant and young child diets. We will compare the added value of the toolkit using a three-arm cluster randomized design with the arms with clusters randomized as shown in Table 5

Arm 1(full intervention)

Arm 2(partial

intervention)

Arm 3(Full Control)

Receives toolkit and is in OFSP

intervention program area

No toolkit within OFSP intervention

program area

No toolkit within OFSP

comparison sites

Our Hypothesis: Based on previous research and the design of the toolkit we hypothesize that the toolkit will improve energy intakes by 100-150 kcal / day (depending on age of child) compared to those who do not receive the toolkit. Based on previous research in Kenya we expect the partial intervention (without toolkit) to increase vitamin A intakes of children 9-12 months of age by 120 RAE. Among those in


the OFSP intervention program sites, we hypothesize the use of the toolkit will cue additional consumption of OFSP by an additional 200-350 RAE compared to the partial intervention arm.

Our approach: Households in communities randomly allocated to the full intervention arm will receive the toolkit through PIN’s planned nutrition programming for families with young children. We anticipate reaching 5,000 households with toolkits through the full intervention program; households in the other two arms will receive PIN’s standard nutrition programming for those sites. Multi-pass 24 hour recalls of amounts of different foods consumed in a randomly selected cohort of households across the three arms will be used to assess impacts on energy and vitamin A intakes (Gibson and Ferguson, 2008). Data will be collected on baseline socio-demographics and maternal knowledge and attitudes when the child is 3-5.9 months of age and prior to receiving the toolkit programming. Households will be followed up when their children are 7-10 months of age and again at 13-15 months at which time data toolkit utilization, maternal IYCF knowledge and attitudes and 24 hour recalls will be conducted. Using the anticipated difference in energy intakes as the variable for estimating sample size, assuming a 10-15% coefficient of variation, an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.05, and 30% lost to follow up we will recruit 10 families from 20 randomly selected clusters per arm to participate in data collection for a total of 200 participants. The cohort approach will also allow us to see individual rates of change in energy and vitamin A intakes over time. Additional data for the larger sample to assess impacts on infant meal frequency, diet diversity and consumption of vitamin A rich foods will be collected through the program’s monitoring efforts and cross-sectional baseline and endline studies.

1.4.6 Negotiate agreements with the Regional and Woreda Bureaus of Agriculture and Health in SNNPR on the integration of OFSP into their official extension systemsStarting in year 2, PIN will begin working with the FTCs on how to build in sweetpotato vine multiplication into their regular planning effort (July each year), with CIP backstopping on how to establish a revolving fund. By the middle of year 4, evidence from the longitudinal study and the costing studies, plus 4 years of monitoring data will be summarized into briefs used to guide discussions with officials at the regional of Woreda level in SNNPR on formal integration of the integrated approach using OFSP as a key entry point into their official extensions systems in Woredas with suitable agro-ecologies for sweetpotato. However, radio programs and field days will start building awareness among leaders of woredas on the importance of OFSP and how to get engaged with its distribution. CIP and PIN will work jointly in these negotiations. Our goal is that at least 40% of the Woredas approached agree to this integration and written statements confirming this will serve as evidence of achievement.

1.4.7 Train 30 Woredas on OFSP production & proposal writing and provide technical materialsAssuming successful negotiations under activity 4.6, DAs and HEWs in staff from 30 new Woredas will be trained on all aspects of sweetpotato production and utilization and linked to sources of quality basic sweetpotato vines. Ideally, the dissemination of sweetpotato vines in new Woredas led by government entities will begin prior the end of the project using job tools provided to the graduates of the course.

In addition, actors from both government and NGO entities will be consulted. Interested parties wanting to learn how to write better proposals to obtain financial support to implement an OFSP-based integrated intervention will be invited to participate in a five-day training on proposal writing during which relevant background materials will be provided. These include detailed manuals already developed on investing in, designing, and implementing OFSP projects.

1.4.8 Assess urban consumer acceptance of OFSP roots and products and frequency of purchase/intakeDue to budget limitations and the low level of OFSP presence at the current time, no baseline assessment of urban consumers will be conducted. However, CIP will lead such an assessment over a 60-day period in the second half of year 4, targeting 600 consumers across all three urban markets target by project activities (Hawassa, Dilla and Choku). In addition, there will be more qualitative focus group discussions among consumers from different socio-economic backgrounds and gender to explore the reasons underlying acceptance or non-acceptance more completely. The study will seek to learn how much consumers were exposed to the promotion campaign and how that influenced initial and on-going purchases of OFSP roots and products, factors driving acceptance, rejection and frequency of purchase.

4.9 Write-up and disseminate findingsProject led field activities will finish by the end of year 4, enabling project managers from CIP and PIN and the lead CIP M&E officer to focus on write-up and dissemination of findings, while continuing to advise the government in the OFSP integration process. The final donor report will be produced. Publications to be produced during the course of the project are provided in the Proposed Publications section. The dissemination strategy is presented in the section on Sustainability.

Proposed Publications


The implementing partners strongly believe that it is critical to encourage all staff members and collaborators to reflect, learn, and adjust the intervention strategy if necessary to achieve the desired results. Manuals job tools, survey instruments, and lessons learned will be documented in various ways depending on the target audience, as indicated below. Support from the EU will always be acknowledged.

Publication Purpose Language Format Target AudienceEverything you ever wanted to know about sweetpotato

Manuals for learning by doing 10 course for Trainers of Trainers

Amharic translation from 13 modules that already exist in English

7 easy-to-use manuals in spiral binders, provided in a box f

Key extension personnel (DAs, HEWs, PIN extensionists) that will train others

Gender roles in Sweetpotato

Thoroughly understand the current roles each gender is playing in the production and use of sweetpotato

English; also executive summary inAmharic

Working paper & Journal article

Project personnel; Government, donor, peer agencies

Baseline Survey

Sharing useful findings about current status and the projects goal, highlighting EU’s support

English, with an executive summary in Amharic

Executive report Government officials, donor, peer agencies

Advisory Cards

Job tools for agriculture & marketing training sessions

Amharic Laminated cards: Images on front; messages on back

DAs, FTCs

Counselling Cards for Nutrition

Job tools for nutrition training sessions

Amharic HEWs, HDAs, PIN extensionists,FTCs

Brochure Key reasons to consume OFSP and tips on production, harvest, and utilization

Amharic Four page document

Families participating in HLCs

Flyers Why consume OFSP and simple recipes for home

Amharic One page flyer Urban consumers

Recipe Book Details on ingredients and equipment needed to make commercial level processed products

Amharic Six page book Agro-processors; restaurants; other institutions

Annual Briefs Sharing information on highlights of achievements to date

English & Amharic

One page, printed on both sides

Government, donor, peer agencies; SPHI participants

Sweetpotato Value Chain Assessment

Understand how current trade in sweetpotato is functioning, and feasibility study of OFSP processed products

English, with an executive summary in Amharic

Working paper Project personnel; Government, donor, peer agencies, nutrition & food security platforms

Internal Mid-term review

Internal learning and accountability

English Internal report CIP, PIN, RSPH, EU

Endline Survey

Assessment of impact of the project

English Comprehensive report

EU, CIP, PIN, RSPH

English Journal Article Ethiopian & global nutrition and agriculture communities

Endline Survey

Assessment of the use of the feeding bowls and slotted spoon

English Journal Article

How-to-Manual Government, peer agencies

Manuals Job tools for government to use to take tested Healthy Living Club model to scale

English & Amharic

Manuals in practical language

DAs, FTCs, HEWs, HDAs, Planners, national level planners

CIP is committed to open access, meaning that funds will be set aside to ensure that any relevant articles or data sets are in the public domain within a reasonable period of time. The project will be registered on


the Sweetpotato Knowledge Portal (www.sweetpotatoknowledge.org), with key written materials generated by the project posted on the site according to open access protocols. All publications will follow the EC’s Communication and Visibility Manual for EU External Actions.


http://www.sweetpotatoknowledge.org/

Figure 2 Conceptual framework

2.1.2 Methodology Methods of Implementation and Rational for the Methodology The project is based on an integrated agriculture-nutrition-market implementation approach using vitamin A-rich, early maturing OFSP as a key entry point, building on a solid evidence base for increasing vitamin

A intakes and improving vitamin A status in young children in Mozambique12 and Uganda13. Ready in just 3-4 months, OFSP can be a critical food source during the hunger period when grain crops are still maturing and in SNNPR can be produced 2 or 3 times per year. Just 125 grams of OFSP meets the daily vitamin A needs of a young child. The original approach has been strengthened by drawing on lessons learned by more recent experiences establishing processed product value chains, linking OFSP access to health services for pregnant women and going-to-scale efforts in several SSA countries. The conceptual framework for this approach is shown in Figure 2.

Building on Results from Previous ActionsKey lessons learned from previous integrated interventions that were taken into consideration when designing this project include:1) The community-level nutrition education component is critical for getting change in feeding practices

that leads to improved vitamin A intakes amount children under five years of age. However, one year of group lessons concerning nutrition was just as effective as two years of group lessons.

2) Men are critical influencers in land allocation for sweetpotato production, what foods are purchased, and whether or not women attend ante-natal and post-natal services. Thus, men must be encouraged to participate in community-level nutrition activities.

3) Engage with government extension personnel from the outset, building on prior investment in training tools in the agriculture and nutrition sectors.

4) Having access to markets accelerates OFSP uptake and increases permanent adoption.5) An effective demand creation campaign helps the marketing and nutrition components concurrently.

CIP has already developed substantial ToTs manuals on all aspects of sweetpotato production and utilization, and many SNNPR appropriate recipes. With PIN’s close ties to FTC services since 2011, the integration of OFSP vine multiplication and demonstration sites into FTC operations will be facilitated. Likewise, access to HEWS and HDAs for further training and participation in the project will be expedited due to PIN’s strong collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Links to Existing and Future Programs and ProjectsThis project will participate in the Sweetpotato for Profit and Health Initiative (SPHI), a multi-partner effort that seeks to improve the lives of 10 million African households by 2020 through access to improved sweetpotato varieties and their diversified use. Nine organizations belong to the SPHI steering committee, including UKAid, Irish Aid and the Roots, Tubers and Banana Program (RTB). The SPHI holds annual community of practice (CoP) meetings in four technical areas, including seed systems and crop management. The Ethiopian team will exchange ideas with 14 other SSA countries through this CoP. Given sweetpotato’s classic role as a food security crop, with spreading types provide good ground cover, early maturing OFSP increases resilience to shocks, in synchrony with the European Commission’s resilience building initiative (RESET) in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the project’s multi-sectoral approach aligns well with the Joint EU+ Nutrition Strategy for Ethiopia 2016-2020 currently under development. In addition, CIP is currently working closely with SARI and national regulators to develop a reasonably costed Quality Declared Seed (QDS) inspection system for trained farmer vine multipliers and to improve the capacity of SARI to multiply sufficient stocks of disease-free pre-basic seed to provide to these multipliers. This investment will pay off because the use of quality seed leads to significant yield increases

12 Low, J. W., et al. (2007) A food-based approach introducing orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes increased vitamin A intake and serum retinol concentrations in young children in rural Mozambique. Journal of Nutrition (J Nutrn), 137, 1320-1327.

13 Hotz, C., et al. (2012) Introduction of B-carotene–rich orange sweetpotato in rural Uganda results in increased vitamin A intakes among children and women and improved vitamin A status among children. J Nutn, 142, 1871-80.


(30-200%). In addition, a complementary project (Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health is Africa) is supporting drip irrigation research and research on the Triple S method for obtaining planting material from roots stored in sand during the dry season. National policy already recognizes the potential contribution of biofortification. We will work with regional and Woreda authorities to turn words into action through institutionalizing OFSP access and training into community level FTCs and Health Post’ services.

Procedures for Follow-up and Methods for Internal/External Evaluation

1. Management Procedures to Ensure Good Implementation Project Steering Committee (PSC) consisting of the CIP project manager, the PIN Extension Manager,

PIN Program Manager, PIN Head of Programmes, the RSPH scientist in country, a Roots, Tubers and Banana program representative. a representative from the Irish Aid project (to ensure synergies across projects) and the Finance Officer will be established and meet on a monthly basis, serving as a platform for monitoring progress, discussing possibilities for improvements and planning forthcoming activities.

Results-Based Monitoring System developed by CIP will be reviewed on a monthly basis during PSC meetings and whenever required, follow-up action will take place.

Participatory Field-Based Monitoring consisting of regular field visits (at least two times per month) by the CIP Project Manager and the PIN extension manager will focus primarily on feedback and suggestions from the target groups and providing technical assistance to project staff.

Standard Monthly Communication by Skype between the CIP project manager and CIP regional supervisors will assure external supervision and compliance with EU and CIP procedures. Minutes of the PSC meetings will be shared with CIP’s regional managers prior to the call.

Progress Reports and Financial Reports provided to the EU every six months. Annual Stakeholder Meeting presenting project progress to a broad range of stakeholders. These

stakeholders will include regional level representatives from the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, key nutrition platforms, and influential religious leaders.

Supervisory visits conducted by CIP’s principal scientist, other senior headquarters CIP and PIN staff.

2. Financial Monitoring and EvaluationFinancial M&E is undertaken at several levels within CIP. All CIP offices using an online accounting process referred to as OCS. The work of the project accountant based in Hawassa is verified by a finance manager at the country office in Addis Ababa, who is backstopped by a regional project accountant in Nairobi, Kenya and CIP’s finance department at Headquarters (Lima, Peru). Expenditures are logged daily, with a major review of spending every quarter. An external audit will be conducted at the end of the project.

3. EvaluationMuch of the monitoring and evaluation activities were presented in the Activity Results 4 section. For most of the indicators to be used for the cross-sectional baseline and endline evaluation, CIP has already developed standardized modules available that they used as part of household surveys. Tablets with programmed ODK or CSPro software will be used by CIP M&E officers, DAs and HEWs to collect information at the frequency level determined under the monitoring system planning activity.

Role and Participation in the Action of the Various Actors and Stakeholders Stakeholder Participation, assigned role including justificationPIN PIN is a Czech INGO (headquarters in Prague) which has been working in Ethiopia

since 2003 and a major implementing partner in this project. PIN has wide project implementation experience on agriculture extension, improved water and sanitation practices and nutrition education. PIN is working on nutrition sensitive agriculture in the target Woredas and has established strong working relationships with Woreda Health and Agricultural Offices (BoA). PIN will implement Woreda and kebele level project activities in close collaboration with BoH and BoA.

Rollins School of Public Health

The RPSH has extensive experience in designing, implementing and evaluating maternal and child nutrition programs and houses the global secretariat for the Food Fortification Initiative. Dr. Amy Webb-Gerard developed the Feeding Bowl training tools. RSPH will lead the longitudinal nutrition study, strengthening the capacity of UH nutrition students and technically backstop the Healthy Living Clubs activities.

Bureau of Agriculture

The Bureau will play key role in the overall facilitation and technical backstopping for decentralized vine multiplication at FTCs and Farmer Entrepreneurs and supervising their activities during the project lifespan and after. The Bureau will be involved in evaluating the project and take a critical role in ensuring further scale-up.


Bureau of Health The Bureau of Health coordinates health extension services. The Bureau will participate in the M&E of the project and planning of activities of the extension workers, ensuring their time allocation. In addition, the BoH will report OFSP related health activities the regional task force on nutrition sensitive agriculture.

15000 rural HHs Selected HHs participate in “healthy living club” learning events, producing OFSP roots in their farms and supplying vines to others.

Hawassa University

This University has an active nutrition department. Students will actively collaborate in OFSP product development and participate in evaluation studies.

SARI The Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) is responsible for sweetpotato breeding and pre-basic seed production in Ethiopia. It will provide disease-free pre-basic seed to basic seed multipliers and assess acceptance of OFSP varieties.

FANEL The Food Analysis and Nutritional Evaluation Laboratory (FANEL) at the Bioscience for Eastern and Central Africa (BecA) facility in Nairobi, Kenya will analyze new OFSP products for beta-carotene content and microbial contamination.

Private vine multipliers and FTCs

Vine multipliers are essential to establish sustainable seed system that ensures timely access to quality vines during and after the program ends. Trained multipliers will supply quality planting material to project beneficiaries.

Agro-processors Private sector processor(s) selected based on capacity and interest to commercialize OFSP food products. This will create permanent new markets for OFSP roots.

Organizational Structure and the Team Proposed for the Implementation of the Action The implementation of the 54 month (4.5 year) action will be focused in 2 zones of the SNNP Region of Ethiopia: Sidama and Gedeo (Map 1). A project office will be established in Hawassa, so that key CIP and PIN managers and the M&E officer will be based together. Two CIP technicians will be based in PIN’s Dilla office. CIP is responsible for the overall project management, training of extension trainers, backstopping PIN extension personnel on technical issues, and the management of the marketing and processed product development components and the monitoring component. PIN is responsible for the management of the extension component. Evaluation responsibility is split between RSPH and CIP.

Table 5 Proposed implementation teamNo. Position Organization Days*1 Project Manager & Value Chain Specialist CIP 1,0801 Nutritionist RSPH 7201 Finance Manager CIP 1081 Principal Scientist CIP 101 Food Scientist CIP 251 Gender Specialist CIP 401 Country Manager CIP 501 Country Director PIN 1081 Head of Programs PIN 1621 Compliance Director PIN 1082 HQ Desk Officer and Finance Desk Officer PIN 43.21 Senior Nutritionist (based in the USA) RSPH 241 Nutrition Advisor PIN 541 Administrative Assistant RSPH 121 Extension Manager PIN 10801 Program Manager PIN 2161 Field Coordinator PIN 10808 Extension Officers PIN 86401 M&E Officer PIN 1082 Finance Officers and Accountants PIN 5401 Project Budgeting Officer PIN 1621 Cashier PIN 4321 Manager of Operations PIN 2161 Logistics Officer PIN 4321 Human Resources Officer PIN 1623 Drivers PIN 32405 Support Staff PIN 5400


1 Agronomist (Master’s Level) CIP 9601 M&E Officer CIP 10202 Technicians CIP 19201 Administrative and Budget Support CIP 10201 Finance Manager Ethiopia CIP 2702 Drivers CIP 1680

*240 working days per year. Total number of staff engaged in project implementation: 27 full-time staff for the time period employed which varies; 20 staff contributing part-time.

Main Means Proposed for the Implementation of the ActionTo successfully achieve the objectives, close interaction with multipliers and households in the community is required, staff members need functioning communication and administrative support systems to effectively deliver, and field activities must be well supervised and documented. The project will invest in: Office Space : Currently, CIP has a one room office in the SARI building and no space is available for

expansion. Hence, an office will be rented in Hawassa for CIP, PIN, and RSPH project personnel. PIN already has a field office in Dilla and 2 CIP technicians will be based there.

Transport : Safe, reliable transport when required is critical for effective time use. The project will purchase 2 vehicles for CIP (shared with RPSH for field work); 1 for PIN. Motorcycles will be purchased for key PIN extensionists and government crop DAs. Bicycles will be provided to HEWs.

IT equipment : Laptop computers will be provided to all staff involved functions requiring analysis or reporting (12 in total). Lower cost tablets (16) will be used for monitoring data collection.

Attitudes of key stakeholders towards the action in general and the activities in particularStakeholders Attitudes Towards the Action and Specific Activities

Women with Young Children

Motivation and willingness to improve food security and health of the family is high, but women with small landholding sizes want to be assured that whatever seed they receive will truly grow.

Express willingness to participate in proposed healthy living clubs.Commercially-

oriented Sweetpotato

Farmers

Very keen to have assured markets and will respond with expanding area under crops where they have such markets.

High level of motivation to multiply vines, as most vine multipliers to date have sold to institutional buyers at a high price.

FTCs and Development Agents (DAs)

FTCs and DAs are highly interested to implement agricultural activities of the project. Integration of the project activity in the FTC`s annual work plan will help motivate DAs to participate fully.

Health Extension Workers (HEW)

HEWs are willing to try the “healthy living clubs” approach. Some doubted whether biofortified OFSP really helps combat VAD and felt capsule supplementation is sufficient.

University of Hawassa

Department head keenly committed to having students work on relevant topics and collaborate in field studies tackling nutrition issues.

Planned activities to ensure the visibility of the action and the EU funding.Immediately at the start of the project, CIP’s Project Manager and PIN’s Head of Programs in cooperation with CIP’s regional communication and knowledge management specialist will prepare the project’s Communication and Visibility Plan to be submitted to the relevant Officer at the EU Delegation in Addis Ababa for consultation and approval. The strategy will be fully in line with the EU’s Communication and Visibility Manual for EU External Actions. A follow-up on this plan will be included as a part of the project’s M&E system. The plan will primarily aim to ensure that the key stakeholders are aware of the reasons and the way in which the EU and project implementers contribute to the improved food security and nutrition of poor households in Ethiopia using biofortified OFSP. On any publication, the phrase “This project is funded by the European Union” will appear. Table outlines the main channels for visibility and communication and their respective target audience(s).

Table 6 Visibility and communication channels# Visibility and Communication Channel Target Audience1 Articles in Local and Foreign Press. Readers in Ethiopia, East Africa, Europe, especially

Czech Republic, global nutrition community.2 Papers in international journals. Global nutrition & research community.


3 Stories, pictures and videos on the Sweetpotato Knowledge Portal, PIN, Roots Tubers & Bananas, and Agriculture for Health (A4H) websites, with links to the EC and CIP websites.

Researchers and development actors working on sweetpotato and nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions; young people.

4 CIP and PIN Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Posts will inform Facebook followers on activities.

5 Orange-colored promotional materials, described in activity 3.5.

Consumers and producers in target areas & Ethiopian policy makers.

6 T-Shirts for HDAs with key nutrition message will have the EU logo.

Rural women and men and local leaders, encouraging recognition of HDA’s services.

7 Banners demonstrating the EU’s support will be displayed.

Key stakeholders at events and at international and regional, and national meetings.

8 Visually attractive leaflets describing the project.

Authorities, private and public actors, media.

9 Radio jingles to promote OFSP use, location of vine multipliers and key nutrition messages.

Consumers, civil servants, local leaders, farmers, trader.

10 Engagement with TV stations to cover major events

Local farmers and political leaders. Regional representatives of government agencies and private sector collaborators


2.1.3 Indicative action plan for implementing the action

The fifty-four-month project will consist in three phases. In the first phase the project will focus on grass-roots implementation by forming groups of households (30 households in each group), train extension agents who then will cascade down training to 15,000 female and 10,000 male farmers on OFSP production, storage and vine conservation. In this phase baseline survey, other formative research and testing and refining strategies/ job tools and intervention protocols will be developed. The one of the very critical activities like identifying and training FTCs and farmer multipliers (DVMs) will be accomplished in the phase. In the second phase, the project will focus on improving market systems for OFSP and will therefore conduct rapid market assessment of the sweetpotato value chain, develop and test up to a 3 OFSP processed products in collaboration with the private sector and provide technical support to the private sector. The project will also conduct a series of participatory learning events for 15,000 women and 10,000 men participating in “Healthy Living Clubs”. In the third phase, the project will focus on the documentation of findings with the endline impact assessment by implementing mid-term assessment and endline surveys and the integration of OFSP into government extension services. The timeline is presented in Table 7.

Table 7 Timeline for Implementing Action Plan

Year 1

Preparation Activity (PA) Execution Activity (EA) 1st Half-year 2nd Half-yearOrganization

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11

12

Short Rain

Main Rain

PA 0.1 Inception: Recruitment, staff training, office, setup in Hawassa & project launching workshop

CIP/ PIN

EA 0.2 Hold monthly project progress review and planning meetings with consortium staff

CIP/PIN

EA 0.3 Hold annual stakeholder meeting, presenting project progress and receiving feedback

CIP/PIN

PA 1.1 Qualitative research on women and men’s roles along the OFSP value chain: Design of Instruments & Pre-testing

CIP

EA 1.1 Qualitative research on women and men’s roles along the OFSP value chain. Implementation & write-up

CIP

PA 1.2 Pre-basic quality planting material prepared SARI/CIP

EA 1.2 Demonstration trials of OFSP in each major site & acceptability assessment

SARI&CIP

PA 1.3 Training-of-Trainers course preparation: Adaptation & translation of Everything you ever wanted to know about Sweetpotato into Amharic

CIP

EA 1.3 Training-of-Trainers course for extension personnel concerning OFSP

CIP

PA 1.4 Identification and planning with the target FTCs and farmer multipliers (DVMs)

CIP

EA 1.4 Training and material support to the target FTCs and farmers-entrepreneurs producing and multiplying OFSP vines.

CIP

PA 1.5 Form groups (30 HHs per group) of HHs that will participate in Healthy Living Clubs

PIN

EA 1.5 Train 15,000 female and 10,000 male farmers on OFSP production, storage, and vine conservation by trained agricultural DAs and Health Extension Agents

PIN


PA 1.6 Design strategy for vine dissemination to households.

PIN

EA 1.6 Implement strategy for vine dissemination to households. On-going technical support. Consolidation of lessons for region-wide replication.

PIN

R2. Behavioral Change for Nutrition Improvement

PA 2.1 Plan formative research on the key barriers and boosters to OFSP production and consumption.

RSPH

EA 2.1 Conduct formative research on the key barriers and boosters to OFSP production and consumption. Develop behavior change communication and promotion strategy, including use of health baby toolkit (bowl/spoon)

RSPH

PA 2.2 Design and plan of training program for health extension personnel on nutrition and behavior change techniques

PIN

EA 2.2 Train health extension personnel on nutrition and behavior change techniques

PIN

PA 2.3 Plan series of participatory learning events for 15,000 women and 10,000 men participating in “Healthy Living Clubs”.

PIN

R3. Getting OFSP urban root and processed product markets moving

PA 3.1 Plan rapid market assessment of sweetpotato value chain

CIP

EA 3.1 Implement rapid market assessment of sweetpotato value chain

CIP

PA 3.3 Design strategy to develop and test up to 3 OFSP processed products in collaboration with the private sector

CIP

R4. Evidence of value for money for going-to-scale & uptake of the model by the public sector

PA 4.1 Design monitoring system for reaching R1 & R2 targets

CIP

EA 4.1 Implement monitoring system for R1 & R2 targets CIP

PA 4.2 Design system for collecting disaggregated cost data developed drawing on Phase 1 experience

CIP

PA 4.3 Plan baseline study on community level intervention

RSPH

EA 4.3 Implement baseline study at community levelRSPH

Preparation Activity (PA) Execution Activity (EA) Yr2; Hf1 Yr2; Hf2

Yr3; Hf1

Yr3; Hf2

Yr4; Hf1

Yr4; Hf2

Yr5; Hf1

Org.

PA 1.1 Qualitative research on women and men’s roles along the OFSP value chain: Design of Instruments

CIP

EA 1.1Qualitative research on women and men’s roles along the OFSP value chain.

Implementation & write-up during different periods of the cropping season

CIP

EA 1.2 Demonstration trials of OFSP in each major site & acceptability assessment

SARI&CIP



Yr3; Hf1

Yr3; Hf2

Yr4; Hf1

Yr4; Hf2

Yr5; Hf1

Org.

PA 1.4 Identification and planning with the Target FTCs and Farmer multipliers (DVMs)

PIN

EA 1.4 Training and material support to the target FTCs and farmers-entrepreneurs

PIN

PA 1.5 Form groups (30 HHs per group) that will participate in Healthy Living Clubs

PIN

EA 1.5 Train 15,000 female and 10,000 male farmers on OFSP production, storage, and vine conservation

PIN

PA 1.6 Design strategy for vine dissemination to households.

PIN

EA 1.6 Implement strategy for vine dissemination to households. On-going technical support.

PIN

PA 1.7 Plan events to promote dissemination to indirect beneficiaries

PIN

EA 1.7 Implement events to promote dissemination to indirect beneficiaries

PIN

PA 1.8 Preparation for integration of OFSP production into FTCs’ annual production plans and budgets

CIP

EA 1.8 Integration of OFSP production into FTCs’ annual production plans and budgets.

CIP

R2. Behavioral Change for Nutrition Improvement

PA 2.2 Design and plan of training program for health extension personnel on nutrition and behavior change techniques

PIN

EA 2.2 Train health extension personnel on nutrition and behavior change techniques

PIN

PA 2.3 Plan series of participatory learning events for 15,000 women and 10,000 men participating in “Healthy Living Clubs”.

PIN

EA 2.3 Implement series of participatory learning events for 15,000 women and 10,000 men participating in “Healthy Living Clubs”.

PIN

R3. Getting OFSP urban root and processed product markets moving

PA 3.2 Plan support to improve supply of OFSP to the target urban markets.

CIP

EA 3.2 Implement support to improve supply of OFSP to the target urban markets.

CIP

EA 3.3 Develop and test up to 3 OFSP processed products in collaboration with the private sector partner.

CIP

PA 3.4 Identify private sector partner for establishing one processed OFSP product value chain.

CIP

EA 3.4 Provide technical support to the private sector partner for establishing one processed OFSP product value chain.

CIP

PA 3.5 Design an OFSP promotion campaign in targeted urban areas.

CIP



Yr3; Hf1

Yr3; Hf2

Yr4; Hf1

Yr4; Hf2

Yr5; Hf1

Org.

EA 3.5 Implement an OFSP promotion campaign in targeted urban areas.

CIP

R4. Evidence of value for money for going-to-scale & uptake of the model by the public sector

EA 4.1 Implement monitoring system for R1 & R2 targets

CIP

EA 4.2 Collect cost data quarterly and assess total cost of community-level intervention

CIP

PA 4.4 Plan mid-term assessment RSPH

EA 4.4 Implement mid-term assessment RSPH

PA 4.5 Plan endline study on community level intervention

RSPH

EA 4.5 Implement endline study on community level intervention

RSPH

PA 4.6 Plan strategy for approaching the Regional and Woreda Bureaus of Agriculture and Health on the integration of OFSP into their official extension systems.

CIP

EA 4.6 Negotiate agreement with the Regional and Woreda Bureaus of Agriculture and Health on the integration of OFSP into their official extension systems.

CIP

PA 4.7 Plan training for 30 new Woredas on OFSP: sweetpotato production & proposal writing and adapt technical materials (based on project findings)

CIP&PIN

EA 4.7 Implementation of training for 30 new Woredas on OFSP: sweetpotato production & proposal writing and provide technical materials

CIP&PIN

PA 4.8 Plan assessment of urban consumer acceptance of OFSP roots and products & frequency of purchase/intake

CIP

EA 4.8 Implement assessment of urban consumer acceptance of OFSP roots and products & frequency of purchase/intake

CIP

PA 4.9 Plan strategy for final write-up and dissemination of findings

CIP&RSPH

EA 4.9 Write-up and disseminate findings CIP&RSPH

:


2.1.4 Sustainability of the action Expected ImpactTechnical OFSP varieties suitable for the target areas will be tested at scale

The proposed project will contribute to global knowledge concerning going to scale with nutrition –sensitive interventions.

Economic Production of OFSP (result 1) and linkages to markets (result 3) will contribute to improving, in a sustainable manner, the economic security of the target communities.

Social The project will empower community members to address vitamin A-deficiencies and food security in a sustainable manner.

Through jointly targeting men and women in households it will contribute to improving household dialogues and decisions of addressing nutrition issues.

Policy The impact on policy is specifically targeted under result 4 of the project – integration of OFSP production and promotion into its extension services.

Simple implementation toolkits for trainings and value-for-money analyses will be documented and provided to policy-makers.

Dissemination, replication and multiplier effectsThe project is designed to ensure the maximum possible amount of dissemination, replication and multiplier effects, with result 4 specifically designed for this.

Expected multipliers Expected dissemination, replication and multiplication effects15,000 target HHs After their first OFSP harvest, they will provide vines to four other

households in their communities.Vine multiplication site staff (FTCs or DVMs)

Vine multiplication sites will have the financial incentive to promote OFSP so they can sell the vines to the wider community.

Development agent, Health Extension Workers, kebele leaders

The news of new OFSP foods will be spread to the community that farmers start looking for planting material of OFSP varieties.

Regional and Zonal agricultural and health bureau; Nutrition sensitive agriculture task force

Positive impacts from the target Woreda will be adopted by government programs such as nutrition sensitive agriculture, maternal and child health for dissemination to other Woredas

NGOs, private multipliers, SMEs Lesson-learnt and best practices will actively be shared with other development stakeholders through publications, presentation at coordination meetings, informal meetings and other opportunities.

Detail risk analysis and contingency planRisk (Risk Factor14) Mitigation measure

Phys

ical

Electricity supply is not reliable in the target areas which may challenge the viability of the project’s food processing component. If it relies solely on generators, product selling cost may not match marketable price. (2)

An irrigation network is not available in the project area which may affect vine multiplication in the dry season. (2)

The project will explore the possibility of using different energy sources such as solar power for food processing.

The project will train farmers on locally-appropriate vine conservation technology and will, also, explore the possibility of using solar irrigation pump for ensuring supply of water during the dry season.

14 Risk factor is considered on the 5 point scale where 5 indicates the highest value


Envi

ronm

enta

l

The target area may be affected by a serious drought and other extreme weather conditions delaying project implementation, decreasing the food security of target groups & diverting the implementation priorities. This situation may cause a decrease in farmers’ production and loss of farmers’ assets/income. (3)

The project will train farmers in on the Triple ‘S’ (sand, storage, and sprouting) technology, an innovative technology that ensures a more sustainable supply of planting material in drought-prone areas using roots as the ‘seed’ source.

The project will promote drought tolerant OFSP variety, this variety is a low-input crop (smallholder farmers do not use mineral fertilizers or insecticides) thus it will reduce environmental risk.

If drought or other extreme weather events become very serious the project will appeal to humanitarian donors for emergency funds to help farmers restoring livelihood activities and protecting asset depletion.

Polit

ical

Deteriorated security situation doesn’t allow the project staff to operate safely in the target areas, delays the delivery or required inputs. (1)

The next general election is planned from 2020, at the end of the project period. Government preparation of election and tension among parties may pose restrictions to project staff, especially when collecting data from communities, thus slow down implementation process. (2)

The risk of an increased insecurity in the project area is low; however, unrest may develop as it is happening in other areas of the country. The project will develop security communication tree and follow CIP & PIN’s organizational safety and security guidelines. The project will closely follow security advisory of UN and other diplomatic missions and plan staff mobility accordingly.

The government stakeholders will be engaged throughout the implementation of the project and should understand the project and know the project staff closely. The trust established over the course of the project period should minimize restrictions imposed during the preparation for elections.

Econ

omic

Some of the target communities are remote from the markets, this will increase transportation costs for these communities (3)

The FTCs may channel the provided revolving fund capital into their existing financial system, where it risks becoming diverted or trapped in bureaucracy and interrupts the continuous vine multiplication process. (2)

The project will conduct a Market Assessment to understand the market behavior, cost benefit ratio of marketing OFSP and develop a marketing strategy tailored for the farmers living in remote kebeles.

At the beginning, the project will hold a launching workshop involving all stakeholders and explain the goal and objective of the project and urge every stakeholder to effectively contribute to the smooth implementation of the project. Project agreements will be signed with the Bureau of Agriculture, in which supervision of the revolving fund will be given to the WAO.

Soci

al

Traditionally, land ownership belongs to men which often undermines women’s preference for planting certain crop. Thus project may face challenge to have many women as producers of OFSP roots. (2)

Involving women in OFSP production system the project may increase women’s workload. (3)

The project will conduct integrated agriculture-nutrition training where both women and men will participate so that joint-decision can be made on the production of OFSP.

The project will train the farmers (women and men) on a gender-responsive agriculture strategy where both women and men will understand their roles and responsibilities and they will share workloads.

Main preconditions and assumptions The main preconditions for smooth implementation of the project are the absence of major security, political, economic or environmental disrupting factors. A more specific precondition for the action to deliver its expected outcomes is that the EU-CIP contract is signed, there is no further severe depreciation of the Euro, and funding is transferred on time. Enabling CIP and PIN to establish vine multiplication sites with cuttings ready for distribution so that households can plant in time for the main rainy season. The main assumptions for the successful and to scheduled implementation of the project include:

No extreme drought or other natural disaster that directly or indirectly affects project implementation. Farmers are interested in commercialization opportunities; OFSP is competitive with alternative crops. Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) has adequate quality of pre-basic and basic planting

material of required variety at the time of need.


The security situation in Ethiopia and in the project Woredas allows markets to operate relatively effectively and supply required inputs/services.

The national government continues to support the health and agriculture extension services policy. The interest of stakeholders to actively participate, support and benefit from the project is maintained

throughout the project implementation period. There is no uncoordinated action of another stakeholder that negatively affects the projects.

Ensuring Sustainability of the Action Financial sustainability

Vine multipliers (FTCs and DVMs) will receive small revolving funds from the project. FTCs will generate substantial amount of income from the vine sale. The money from vine sale will be used as revolving funds that will support future vine multiplication activities. To sustain the vine market, vine producers will be linked to root producers and other institutional buyers.

Agreements with the WAO and FTC management teams will be made to enable the monitoring of income from vine sale.

Root producers will receive free initial vines to start small root production plot (approx. 100 m2) but they will be linked to local market and processors to sale surplus roots when production grows in the coming years. The income generated from root sale will be invested to expand sweet-potato production and farmers will slowly transform from subsistence to commercial producers. Training and linkage will be provided by the project.

Since most of the processors products are used for daily human consumption such as bread, biscuits and chips there should be high market demand. The project will assess the market of processed product to advise processors in designing their business plans.

Institutional sustainability

The Ministries of Agriculture and Health are working together to promote nutrition sensitive agriculture, which includes bio-fortification, so the project should have continued institutional backstopping after the project.

FTCs often suffer from high staff turnover. The project provides capacity building at multiple levels of extension and through agriculture and health departments in order to maximize knowledge retention in the institutions.

Under result 4, the project will advocate for OFSP recipes and use to be included as part of the standard work packages of Health Extension Workers.

Policy level sustainability

The project is aimed at creating a model that will allow OFSP to be mainstreamed through existing extension structures. Result 4 includes the activity of obtaining an agreement with the regional-level offices to mainstream OFSP through 20 Woredas.

The project will engage the National Nutrition Program task force and other decision-makers in bi-annual project review sessions and through participation in at least 1 national-level Food/Nutrition Security seminar in order to advocate for a national dialogue.

Environmental sustainability

Sweetpotato has very low carbon foot print from planting to consumption. It uses minimum inputs of fertilizer, insecticide and non-renewable energy.

The crop gives high biomass yield per unit area and per unit time that means it uses energy and water efficiently to produce a high amount of carbohydrate with minimal damage to the environment.

Vine multiplication sites will use drip irrigation facilities to maximize water efficiency. In developing the packaging of OFSP processed products, attention will be paid to

minimize the use of plastic. OFSP plant structure provides reasonable ground cover that can minimize erosion.


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