Feed the Future Indicator Handbook Definition Sheets

Government's global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future. The handbook is organized around the Feed the Future Results Framework, which outlines the initiative's goals and objectives. The handbook categorizes indicators into three groups: Zone of Influence (ZOI), National/Regional, and Implementing Mechanism. ZOI-level indicators are required for all Feed the Future programs, while National/Regional indicators are required for national and regional programs. Implementing Mechanism indicators are required-as-applicable for programs that implement specific mechanisms. The handbook lists 14 ZOI-level required indicators, including the prevalence of poverty, daily per capita expenditures, and women's empowerment in agriculture. National/Regional required indicators include the percentage of national budget invested in agriculture and the number of national-level policies supporting regionally agreed-upon policies. Implementing Mechanism indicators include the number of households benefiting directly from USG assistance and the number of full-time equivalent jobs created with USG assistance. The handbook also lists 23 ZOI-level required-as-applicable indicators, including the prevalence of households with moderate or severe hunger and the prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age. National/Regional required-as-applicable indicators include the number of agricultural and nutritional enabling environment policies analyzed and the number of households with formalized land. Implementing Mechanism required-as-applicable indicators include the number of individuals who have received USG-supported short-term agricultural sector productivity or food security training and the number of micro, small, and medium enterprises receiving agricultural-related credit. The handbook lists 14 ZOI-level optional indicators, including the prevalence of women of reproductive age who consume targeted nutrient-rich value chain commodities and the percentage of female direct beneficiaries of USG nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities consuming a diet of minimum diversity. National/Regional optional indicators include the value of agricultural and rural loans and the number of technologies or management practices under research. Implementing Mechanism optional indicators include the number of firms engaged in agricultural and food security-related manufacturing and services that have increased profits. The handbook also includes guidance on counting technologies for USAID crop, animal breeding, and selection projects, as well as a list of changes to the July 2016 version of the Feed the Future Handbook. The handbook is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for monitoring and evaluation of Feed the Future programs, and to support the initiative's goals of reducing hunger and improving food security.