AGRICULTURE GOVERNANCE, RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (AGREE) ACTIVITY W-GDP WISH Initiative FY21 Q2 Progress Report

The initiative is part of the AGREE Activity, which is funded by the USAID and implemented by a consortium led by CARE International. The WISH Initiative targets 10,000 women farmers and aims to increase their income through improved production efficiency and product quality in the shea value chain. During the second quarter of FY21 (January 1 to March 31, 2021), the WISH Initiative reached 1,120 women with training on Village Savings and Loans (VSL). The project team also supported the women to form 30 new Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) and restructured the membership and leadership structure of 14 existing VSLAs. Cumulatively, 44 women groups were reached, exceeding the target of 44 groups by 10%. The initiative also organized a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on improved cookstove construction for 88 women cookstove masters (CSMs) and six field officers. The participants received training on the project-developed modules on the importance of cookstove, gathering and transporting cookstove construction tools and raw materials, mixing and turning of materials, construction of cookstove, and repairs and maintenance. Following the training, the field officers and the CSMs supported women at the community level to construct their improved cookstoves using locally available materials and tools. The project team monitored the activities of the CSMs and provided technical backstopping support to assure quality. As part of the fight against COVID-19, the AGREE Activity's COVID-19 Response Initiative provided reusable nose masks and hand sanitizers to each participant, and handwashing facilities were provided at the training centers. The data indicate that 187 women from the ten communities have adopted the improved cookstove technology and are correctly using the cookstove for commercial and domestic purposes. The monitoring report also shows that the use of the improved cookstoves has contributed to reduced use of firewood by half, and thus, contributing to environmental preservation. The WISH Initiative also had a steering committee meeting to affirm high-level strategic decisions regarding the initiative. All consortium partners participated in the meeting. The initiative's monitoring report indicates high interest in and adoption of the improved cookstove technology among the women. The WISH Initiative's interventions are expected to contribute to the improved economic development of the women in the project-impacted communities. The initiative's focus on sustainable agriculture and improved cookstove technology is expected to increase the income of women farmers and improve their livelihoods.