BOARD FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT (BIFAD) SUPPORT CONTRACT Semi-Annual Report

The report highlights key achievements and progress toward the performance indicator targets. Publication of the BIFAD-Commissioned Report and Transmittal Memo, "Operationalizing USAID's Climate Strategy to Achieve Transformative Adaptation and Mitigation in Agriculture and Food Systems," was a significant accomplishment during the reporting period. The report, produced in collaboration with the Climate Change Subcommittee, aimed to inform BIFAD's recommendations to USAID on operationalizing its 2020-2030 Climate Strategy in agriculture, nutrition, and food systems research programming, research investments, and operational practices. The report was published on November 17, 2023. A public engagement meeting focused on the draft climate change report was also held during the reporting period. The meeting, which took place on September 11, 2023, brought together Agency, stakeholder, and public insights and deliberation of draft recommendations from the report. The meeting included sessions focused on opportunities to integrate climate change in the implementation of the US Government Global Food Security Research Strategy and a session for the Climate Change Subcommittee to share and discuss the main findings, targets, and recommendations of the draft report with BIFAD, USAID representatives, and other stakeholders. In addition to these high-profile activities, the Support Team provided ongoing support for administrative meetings, strategic communications, and outreach to engage and grow BIFAD's stakeholder database. The team also supported BIFAD's response to the Title XII report. The reporting period also saw a transition period at USAID, which resulted in a change in implementation pace and delays of work streams such as the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Subcommittee. As a result, the Support Team slowed implementation of some task areas at the direction of USAID during October and November 2023. However, USAID approved a six-month no-cost extension to the BIFAD Support Contract, extending the base period from February 28, 2024, to August 28, 2024. This extension provides time needed for the Support Team to continue to support BIFAD in the launch, recruitment, and start-up of the MSI Subcommittee, a potential public meeting, and other critical work streams in BIFAD's 2024 workplan. The achievements during the reporting period are reflected in the Support Contract's progress toward the performance indicator targets. The report highlights the importance of the BIFAD Support Contract in helping BIFAD achieve its objectives and the significant progress made toward these objectives during the reporting period.