Annual Report: Olipihana Project 1st October 2022 – 30th September 2023

The project is led by NCBA CLUSA and comprises two local partners: Consultoria em Desenvolvimento Social (SCDS) and Unidade de Assistência Técnica de Alfabetação Funcional – Associação para o Fortalecimento Comunitário (UATAF). The project's main objectives are to strengthen economic pathways, particularly for youth, by providing training and technical assistance in on-farm and off-farm activities. It also aims to support recovery from natural disasters by promoting Conservation Farming through hands-on trainings and demonstrations, and to improve information dissemination through a local radio and social media platform. During the second year of implementation, the project faced significant challenges, including the loss of its partner, Plexus Mozambique Limitada, due to financial difficulties and the worsening security situation in the project districts. Despite these challenges, the project made significant progress in meeting its targets, including registering 6,090 new smallholder beneficiaries, a 150% achievement of the target of 4,000 for the year. This brings the total number of smallholder beneficiaries to 10,723 over the life of the project, representing 89% of the life of project target of 12,000 smallholder beneficiaries. The project also made significant progress in providing technical training to 2,509 people, including micro entrepreneurs, through partnerships with accredited training providers and local youths. This resulted in an average increase of 40% in non-farm incomes, exceeding the target of 30%. Additionally, the project promoted Conservation Farming practices, supporting 3,891 people to apply these practices on 920 hectares of land, resulting in a 238% increase in average yields and a $200 increase in income for each farmer. The project also established 55 new rotating savings and credit groups, including youth and women-led groups, reaching the life of project target of 100 groups. These groups have now taken the first steps towards financial inclusion, with access to finance and assistance to obtain ID cards and tax numbers and open mobile money accounts. The project's performance indicators show significant progress in meeting its targets, including a 150% achievement of the target of 4,000 smallholder beneficiaries, and a 238% increase in average yields. However, the project also faced challenges in maintaining a stable beneficiary base due to the high flux of beneficiaries entering or returning to the project districts. The project's outcome 1, increased participation in on and off-farm economic activities and incomes, was achieved through the registration of 6,090 smallholder beneficiaries, of which 51% are women, 34% are youths, and 44% are IDPs. This represents a 150% achievement of the target of 4,000 smallholder beneficiaries. The project also provided technical training to 2,509 people, resulting in an average increase of 40% in non-farm incomes. The project's outcome 2, increased ability to manage shocks and stresses, was achieved through the promotion of Conservation Farming practices, supporting 3,891 people to apply these practices on 920 hectares of land. This resulted in a 238% increase in average yields and a $200 increase in income for each farmer. The project's outcome 3, increased access to and use of quality information, was achieved through the dissemination of information on agrology, weather, and employment opportunities through a local radio and social media platform. This resulted in increased access to information for 10,723 smallholder beneficiaries, representing 89% of the life of project target of 12,000 smallholder beneficiaries. The project's cross-cutting issue, gender equality, was addressed through the registration of 3,063 women smallholder beneficiaries, representing 51% of the total number of smallholder beneficiaries. The project also established 55 new rotating savings and credit groups, including youth and women-led groups, reaching the life of project target of 100 groups. The project's major implementation issues included the loss of its partner, Plexus Mozambique Limitada, due to financial difficulties and the worsening security situation in the project districts. Despite these challenges, the project made significant progress in meeting its targets, including registering 6,090 new smallholder beneficiaries and providing technical training to 2,509 people. The project's collaboration with other donor projects included partnerships with SNV's OYE project and the Industrial Institute of Montepuez, Balama Agricultural Institute, Young Africa, and Uni Rovuma. These partnerships resulted in the provision of technical training to 2,509 people and the promotion of Conservation Farming practices, supporting 3,891 people to apply these practices on 920 hectares of land. The project's key activities planned for the