Feed the Future Mozambique Agricultural Innovations Activity (FTF Inova): Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan

The overall goal of FTF Inova is to stimulate more inclusive agricultural markets for farmers, contributing to sustainable, agriculture-led economic growth and reducing poverty and hunger. To achieve this goal, FTF Inova aims to catalyze more inclusive and competitive agricultural market systems. Market systems are considered more inclusive when market actors have strengthened and expanded access to markets and trade opportunities, increasing the value and volume of sales for both buyers and producers. Inclusivity also refers to the extent to which traditionally marginalized actors, such as smallholder farmers, are engaged in and benefiting from the expansion of markets and trade. Market systems are considered more competitive when market actors can adapt effectively to meet demand requirements and ensure profits over time, enabling market actors to thrive. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plays a crucial role in FTF Inova, supporting the strategic and informed management of interventions and enabling the activity to report on achieved results. The MEL System is built along two lines: technically rigorous methods to capture and report results externally, including to USAID, and robust but rapid tools and processes that support evidence-based decision-making within FTF Inova. The MEL System is guided by two key principles: the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach and the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) framework. The MSD approach focuses on understanding and addressing the complex dynamics of market systems, while the CLA framework emphasizes the importance of collaboration, learning, and adaptation in achieving sustainable development outcomes. FTF Inova's MEL System includes a range of tools and processes designed to support evidence-based decision-making and reporting. These tools include stakeholder feedback surveys, partner customer-centricity scorecards, and systems health measurement surveys. The MEL System also includes a performance indicator reference sheet, which outlines the key indicators used to measure progress towards FTF Inova's goals and objectives. The MEL System is managed by a team of professionals who are responsible for data planning, collection, analysis, and reporting. The team works closely with FTF Inova's staff and partners to ensure that the MEL System is integrated into all aspects of the activity and that data is used to inform decision-making and improve program outcomes.