Feed the Future Egypt Food Security and Agribusiness Support Project Quarterly Report Number FY2020 Q3

The project was awarded in July 2015 to VEGA with CNFA as the prime implementer. The program's overarching goal is to achieve this objective through 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 FAS Project is implemented by a strong consortium of partners with complementary technical expertise. The consortium is led by CNFA and includes Winrock International, World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), and Souktel. CNFA provides contractual accountability, strategic leadership, financial management, volunteer technical assistance, subcontract and grant management, and technical expertise, specifically as regards to best agricultural practices, access to improved inputs, strengthening farmers' groups, improving access to markets, and nutritional messaging. Component 1, Improved On-Farm Productivity and Income for Smallholder Farmers, focuses on increasing crop yields and improving farmers' income. This component involves training farmers in best agricultural practices, providing access to improved inputs, and strengthening farmers' groups. Component 2, More Efficient Post-Harvest Processes, aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of agricultural products. This component involves developing cold chain infrastructure and related technologies, as well as promoting the use of improved post-harvest handling practices. Component 3, Improved Marketing of Agricultural Crops and Products, focuses on improving farmers' access to markets and increasing their income through the sale of their products. This component involves developing a web-based platform to disseminate messages to smallholder farmer groups and other participants, as well as providing training and technical assistance on marketing and business development. Component 4, Improved Nutritional Status, aims to improve the nutritional status of women and children in the target areas. This component involves providing training and technical assistance on nutrition and health, as well as promoting the use of improved nutrition practices. The FAS Project has a 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. The project has made significant progress in the first quarter of FY2020, with over 2,500 farmers receiving training in best agricultural practices and more than 1,000 farmers benefiting from the project's grants program. The project has also established partnerships with several private sector companies to promote the sale of agricultural products and improve farmers' income.