Feed the Future Egypt Food Security and Agribusiness Support Project Quarterly Report FY2020 Q1

The market-driven program is supported by four interrelated components: Improved on-farm production, More efficient post-harvest processes, Improved marketing of agriculture crops and products, and Improved nutritional status, especially for women and children. The project is implemented by a consortium of partners with complimentary technical expertise, led by CNFA and including Winrock International, World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), and Souktel. The project has a $2,924,921 million grants fund used to refurbish and develop productive infrastructure, catalyze innovation, stimulate investment, and support the development of critical value chain segments. The grant fund will also leverage $2.7 million of private sector investment by the end of the project. The project's overall goal is to increase agriculture-related incomes of smallholder farmers in Upper Egypt. During the reporting period from October 1 through December 31, 2019, the project made significant progress in all areas of work. The project facilitated 21 successful new contract negotiations between buyers and farmer associations/groups for onions and tomatoes. Additionally, 32,307,500 EGP (USD 2,044,998) in sales revenue was received by smallholder farmers on completion of sales contracts with end market buyers. Component 1: Improved on-farm productivity and income for smallholder farmers, focused on associations and cooperative strengthening, on-farm training to improve volumes and quality, promotion of innovative tools and technology, ICT solutions for extension and irrigation, strengthening input suppliers (agro dealers), and preparation for successful post-harvest handling. Component 2: More efficient post-harvest processes, focused on vertical integration of farmer groups, post-harvest facility operator capacity building, agro-processing enterprise development, and ICT solutions for post-harvest processes. Component 3: Improved marketing of agriculture crops and products, focused on forward contracting between suppliers and buyers, trade show attendance, ICT solutions for marketing, buyer visits, and expanding certification of farmer groups. Component 4: Improved nutritional status especially for women and children, focused on targeted ICT nutrition messaging, community nutrition mobilizers, and nutrition messaging targeted to women in the agro-processing workforce. The project's quarterly report highlights the progress made in all areas of work, including sales revenue received by smallholder farmers, successful new contract negotiations, and the implementation of various project activities. The project's overall goal is to increase agriculture-related incomes of smallholder farmers in Upper Egypt, and the progress made during the reporting period brings the project closer to achieving this goal. The project's implementation is led by CNFA, with support from Winrock International, WFLO, and Souktel. The project's grant fund is used to support the development of productive infrastructure, catalyze innovation, stimulate investment, and support the development of critical value chain segments. The project's progress is monitored and evaluated through various indicators, including sales revenue, contract negotiations, and the implementation of project activities. The project's quarterly report provides an overview of the progress made during the reporting period, highlighting the achievements and challenges faced by the project. The report provides a detailed account of the project's activities, including the implementation of various project components, the facilitation of contract negotiations, and the receipt of sales revenue by smallholder farmers. The report also highlights the project's overall goal and the progress made towards achieving this goal.