LIVES-SNNPR-Monthly Update-May-2014

LIVES MonthlyField Activities Update
Month: / May 2014
Region: / SNNPR
Activities on Capacity Development / Observations/action required
  • LIVES focal person (M) and 2 SMS staff (M) of the Office of Agriculture of Arbegona district [Sidama zone] have been coached on preparation of plots for improved forage (Desho, alfalfa and vetch) planting
/
  • Continuous engagement on coaching and mentoring extension workerson improved forage development

  • LIVES focal person (M) and livestock production expert (F) of the Office of Agriculture of Bensa district [Sidama zone] have been coached on household selection and seedbed preparation for improved forages (alfalfa both as homegrown fodder and seed production) and intercropping Desmodiem (perennial legume) with coffee plantation, and rehabilitation of private grazing land (area closure and enrichment).
/
  • Continuous engagement on coaching and mentoring extension workers on improved forage and grazing land development

  • Irrigation expert of the district (M) and development agents (2M) of Batcha and Hatche PAs of Bona Zuria District [Sidama zone] who attended the practical training on avocado nursery management and grafting technique in the previous month have been coached on avocado grafting for farmers involved on avocado nursery management.
/
  • Continue with coaching and mentoring of the expert and extension workers

  • Three AI technicians of Arbegona District [Sidama zone] who participated on refreshment training earlier have been coached by senior AI technician from other district [Dale] on PD test of dairy animals inseminated during the OSMAI program in 2 kebeles (Riqame and Shafamo Kebeles).

  • Four households who are engaged in fruit seedling production in Sadama zone were coached by the LIVES staff (both through physical visit and tele-extension approaches) and SMS.
/
  • Continue coaching of these households.

  • In Gamogofa zone, a private pesticide supplier [Messay Wordofa] was coached on how to store and make agro-chemicals available for customers [producers] during the different seasons. It was observed that the shop is small in size and the room is not well ventilated. This coupled with the ambient temperature of Arbaminch city is expected to influence the effectiveness of pesticides. Although the supplier collects agro-chemicals from Ziway area, he has weak linkage with the producers. Thus, coaching also included on how to establishing marketing linkage with producers.
/
  • Continuous engagement on coaching and mentoring the supplier

  • Discussion has been made with the office of Agriculture of the 3 clustered districts of Sidama zone on possible approaches to identify female candidates for MSc/BSc education during the coming summer season.
/
  • Continuous engagement to influence the district to select female candidates for the program.

  • TwoMHHs (both husband and wife),drawn fromBacha kebele of Bona Zuria and Hache kebele of Bensa districts, who have attended the practical training on avocado nursery management and grafting technique in the previous month and started own avocado seedling production have been coached directly and indirectly [through trained extension workers] on grafting their own seedlings.
/
  • The trained extension staff will continue coaching of farmers who are engaged in grafted seedling production.
  • The zonal expert is expected to coach TOT participants and initiate the same activity in other districts of Sidama zone where Avocado is a potential crop.

  • One household (the wife) already established apple orchard at Yaye Kebele of Arbegona District has been coached for proper weeding, compost application and mulching of the established apple.
/
  • Creating linkages between the pilot farmers who are producing grafted Avocado seedlings and potential buyers. Moreover, promotion will be undertaken within the districts and beyond.

  • Two Households (two wives) at Yaye kebele of Arbegona district [Sidama zone] have been coached on cutting frequency and feeding of improved forage (Elephant and Desho grass) to dairy animals, and introduction of legumes (source of protein) into the established Desho and Elephant grass.
/
  • Provide the farmers with planting materials and fodder seeds (legumes).
  • Continuous coaching of the pilot households and extension workers on improved forage establishment, production and utilization

Activities on Knowledge management / Observations/action required
  • It is to be recalled that LIVES imported chopper/shredder and distributed one for each zone for demonstration. After receiving the equipment’s the regional team [SNNPR] realized that the same equipment’s are available and being used by research centers of SARI for various purposes. Thus, LIVES zonal (Sidama and Gamogofa) coordinators have visited Areka and Jinka Agricultural Research centers to share experience on operation and use of motorized feed chopper /shredder. It was learnt that the motorized chopper/grinder uses benzene at Areka center but electric power at Jinka center to chop/shred feeds. Except source of power, the machines at both research centers are similar and imported from the same company. During the demonstration session, the team observed that the machine chopsdifferent types of feed resources at Areka (sugar can [both stem and leaves], grasses [elephant, guatemala, desho and rhodes grass hay], maize and sorghum stalk) and banana leaves. With the exception of banana leaf, other feed types were chopped very well.It was learnt that chopping of the bulky fodders improves its intake by animals. However, the performance and cost effectiveness of the machine has not been studied, which LIVES should consider.
  • The team also observed manual balers(produced by SELAM) atthe research centers although they are not properly functioning currently due to maintenance related problems (e.g. lack of spare parts etc.)
  • The team had an opportunity to visit improved forage establishment/production sites, goats crossbreeding program (Boar X Woito Guji) coordinated by Jinka research center, and briefings on community based sheep breeding program coordinated by Areka research center.
/
  • Demonstration of the chopper/shredder in selected districts of both zones

  • Three different types of irrigation documents (crop technology applications, fruit technology, and highland fruits management), all in Amharic language, were duplicated and distributed to 7 Agricultural Knowledge Centers in the region. Moreover, relevant websites to be listed and posted in each of the AKCs were identified.
/ The list of important websites will be posted in the AKCs.
Activities on Promotion / Observations/action required
  • LIVES Sidama zone coordinator participated in AGP-LMD Regional MSP Meeting held at Furra Management Institute, Yirgalem. During the workshop the coordinator introduced about the approach, strategy and focus areas of LIVES project, and the progress made so far to workshop participants. LIVES shared its experiences on OSMAI program undertaken in 2013 and introduction of individual animal card. The workshop was attended by stakeholders drawn from AGP-LMD operating districts and zones including service providers at regional level. The number of participants were about 40 (M=36; F=4).
/
  • Strengthening the collaboration with AGP-LMD and other stakeholder in the region and zones

Activities on Value Chain Development / Observations/action required
  • Based on 2014/15 intervention plan and targets set, the newly included PAs have been visited and discussion was held with livestock and crop extension workers (DAs) of the respective PAs in Gamogofa zone. During the meeting, LIVEs zonal coordinator and focal person from the office of agriculture briefed about LIVES focus areas, strategies and planned interventions for both livestock and irrigation commodities. Discussion was also made on how to quickly start implementation of the interventions as the rainy season begins soon.
/
  • Identification of suitable HHs for introduction of the interventions, and continuous engagement with extension workers

  • Given the fact that feed (finishing diet) is the major factor limiting the performance of fattening animals (both large and small ruminants), LIVES has made continuous effort to raise the level of awareness by the community on the importance of concentrate/finishing diet (commercial/homemade) and strategies on how to make it available to producers in Gamogofa zone. Although fattening is an important farming activity in this zone, the production system is traditional. Since there has been no supplier in the zone, different approaches (organized/private) have been pursued to introduce and supply concentrate. In this reporting month a private volunteer (engaged in commercial fattening) with a better capital and experience showed an interest to supply concentrate to producers.The list of producers who wish to use concentrate has also been compiled by the extension staff. So far, a total of 215 interested farmers (urban/peri-urban areas) have been registered from 8 PAs in Mirab abaya district. The supplier is expected to get concentrate from Wolaita Sodo feed processing plant. LIVES has also been facilitating meetingsamong representatives of the producers, supplier and extension staff to make the linkage effective and sustainable
/
  • Continue providing the necessary technical backstop in collaboration with the office of agriculture.

  • It is to be recalled that improved harvesting tools for Mango and Avocado fruits were designed and demonstrated to producers in the previous month. During this reporting month, 66 (33 for each zone) more tools were duplicated. Further discussions were also made with the designers about the possibility of preparing a light-weight metallic ladder to be used with the harvesting tools. The presence of the ladder will enable to easily harvest fruits even from very big trees. It is planned that the ladder will be owned by a group of Avocado (Sidama) and Mango (Gamogofa and Sidama) producers on a rotation business. The improved harvesting of Mango and Avocado is considered as part of the action research aiming at enhancing the value chains of these fruits. The producers groups will be liked with potential collectors, traders or restaurants for better prices.
/ -Identifying and coaching of the pilot households on improved harvesting of Avocado and Mango fruits.
-Organizing field days to disseminate the knowledge among many fruit producers at both Gamo Gofer and Sidama zones.
  • As reported earlier, there was lack of awareness among livestock producers on the use of improved forage materials in Gamogofa zone. Through continuous engagement the attitude of producers has been changing whereby they are showing interest to plant and use improved fodder. Thus, in this reporting month, elephant grasses accessions have been distributed and planted by 15 HHs in Mirab abaya (Saragossa, Fura and Delbo PAs) and A/minch zuria districts (Shellemela PA).
/
  • Training of extension staff to fill skill gap, and continue coaching and mentoring of extension staff and producers

  • Group of farmers who had been coached on vegetable production in Dembileotora PA of Bonke district [Gamogofa zone] last year were also coached on improved fruits [banana and mango] production techniques(mainly proper spacing) this year. The farmers had achieved better result last year due to continuous engagement by LIVES [separate report will be produced for this shortly]. The farmers have been considered for fruits interventions too since they have banana and mango plants and have better attitude for technology uptake.
/
  • Continue with coaching/mentoring farmers and extension workers on proper spacing of fruits

  • Discussion was held with the owner of Friendship Restaurant, one of the famous juice houses in Arbaminch town. His juice shop mainly uses Papaya, Mango and Avocado fruits for juice making. Accordingly, the major challenges associated with fruit purchasing processes, handling and storage were thoroughly discussed and possible interventions on improved post-harvest handling and marketing were identified. It was understood that the juice house does not have a constant seller. He mentioned that buying from different retailers and traders exposed him to highly fluctuating prices. Moreover, getting good quality fruits is always a challenge. Because of this, he showed interest to get linked with Mango producers group who are being established by the LIVES project and with whom demonstration of improved harvesting is being initiated. He stressed that accessing properly harvested Avocado and Mango fruits is very crucial for him as the current harvesting system is negatively affecting the quality of his juice. The possibility of demonstrating improved fruit storage and transporting system was also discussed with him.
/
  • Demonstration of improved fruit storage technologies and linking him with producers group who are using the new harvesting tools.

  • Three households were selected to demonstrate potato (Belete variety) seed production at Arbegona district of Sidama zone. These households were selected based on the following criteria: their access to water for irrigation, innovativeness, market orientation, previous engagement in potato production and interests. They will be provided with improved potato seeds (Belete), which will be obtained from CIP-Hawassa office. While the short-term objective is to enable some households in input production and supply, the ultimate objective is to introduce and disseminate the new variety among many farm households in the area.
/
  • Introduction and demonstration of the new potato variety

  • PD test has been conducted on those animals which were inseminated during the recent OSMAI program in 2 PAs (Toshine and Riqame) of Arbegona district in Sidama zone. The PD test was conducted through the involvement of district level [Arbegona] and senior technicians from Dale District.Discussion has also been made with the same HHs to allocated piece of land for establishment of improved forage
/
  • Coach extension staff to support producers on improved management and documentation following the format
  • Introduce and demonstrate HHs with improved forage planting materials
  • TOT training on identified skill gap and coaching and mentoring extension staff on improved forage establishment

  • Four MHH households, 2 couples from Bacha PA of Bona Zuria district and HachePA of Bensa district (n=4), and 2 males from Osole and Dembi PA of Bensa districts (n=2), who attended practical training on avocado grafting and nursery management techniques have started grafting avocado on their plot. They have been provided with technical support by district level irrigation expert and the development agents of the respective PAswho have attended the avocado grafting training previously.
/
  • Continuous follow up, and provide selected farmers with scions of avocado and technical support.

Activities on Documentation/Research / Observations/action required
  • A delegate from CIDA (composed of 2 staff-both females) visited LIVES activities in Sidama zone [SNNPR]. During the visit, LIVES regional staff made presentations on LIVES approach and LIVES regional engagements in SNNPR in general and in Sidama zone in particular. The team held discussion with partners (regional/zonal/district), visited AKCs, including the one set up by Bensa district, and field activities (improved forage production integrated with dairy and apple nursery). LIVES regional staff facilitated the visit.

  • It is to be recalled that concept notes were initiated for action research in the area of livestock and irrigation commodityvalue chains earlier. In this month the concept notes have been enriched further by the regional team.
/
  • Communicate the concept notes to HQ team for further enrichment

  • Data base has been updated through collection of data from the intervention areas following annexes developed earlier

Activities on Project Management / Observation/action required
  • Compiled and submitted monthly activity report (April/2013) to HQ

  • Compiled and submitted 2014/15 LIVES intervention plan, targets and budget requirement to HQ

  • Given the fact that LIVES follow participatory approach for planning interventions and setting targets, the regional team had been engaged on planning process (district up to national) during the last couple of months. In this month, the plans developed by each region for both livestock and irrigation commodities were compiled and discussed during the annual PSC meeting held in Addis Ababa. During the workshop, LIVES regional team made the necessary preparations and presented progress on LIVES regional engagements (2013). The regional staff also participated in revising 2014 annual plan and held meeting with project management.

  • Online and offline performance evaluation (2013) of regional staff and colleagues from other centers have been completed in this month. Further, online and offline KRA have also been completed for LIVES regional staff in this month.

  • LIVES regional team organized a daylong meeting to discuss on the 2013 annual progress report and 2014 plan. The discussion was a follow up of the PSC and project management meetings held in Addis Ababa in the same month. It was realized that although several activities had been undertaken by LIVES at regional level in 2013 it was not properly documented and addressed in the report. The fact that using annexes for reporting started late (after January 2014) and the narrative section of the monthly report was qualitative contributed to the discrepancies. Thus, it was agreed to give full attention to annexes and make effort to make the narrative section as objective as possible. Discussion was also made on LIVES targets and consolidated intervention plan (2014) and the strategy on how to implement the plan.

Additional information on crosscutting issues – gender & environment:

  • In Gamogofa zone, Yayike PA of MiraAbaya district, many farmers (about 60 HH) use high dose fungicides to control tomato and onion pests. They are producing these crops just adjacent to lake Abaya.During the rainy season, chemicals are washed away from the crop land and contaminate water bodies. Thus, in this month, efforts were made to coach 25 HHs (23 male headed and 2 female headed) on how to use proper agronomic measures to solve the problem.
  • In the same PA [Gamogofa zone] farmers usually use saline water from the lake with the help of pumps (n=53) to irrigate crops. During the reporting month, since there is abundant rainfall in the area, they were coached to use flood water to minimizethe buildup of salinity.
  • In Sidama zone, while selecting fodder planting and seeding areas, improving soil fertility and rehabilitation of degraded lands have been considered. Desmodiem seed has been purchased to demonstrate rehabilitation of degraded grazing land at Hache kebele of Bensa district in addition to intercropping the legume under coffee that contributes to improved fertility of the soil.

______