USAID DEC
The region's agricultural sector was characterized by small-scale farming, with the majority of farmers relying on rain-fed agriculture and lacking access to modern inputs and technologies.
25 pages

Abstract
The training programs emphasized the importance of conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, and post-harvest handling techniques. Farmers were also provided with access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems. The initiative's market linkage facilitation component aimed to connect farmers with buyers and improve their bargaining power. This involved the establishment of a commodity exchange platform and the provision of market information services to farmers. The evaluation also found that the initiative had a positive impact on poverty reduction, with the number of households living below the poverty line decreasing by 15%. The results of the midterm evaluation informed the design of the initiative's second phase, which aimed to scale up the successful interventions and expand the program to new areas.
Classification
USAID DEC