Feed the Future Tajikistan Agriculture and Land Governance Activity FY2021 Q2 Quarterly Report

The Activity contributes to the USAID Global Food Security Strategy's top-line goals of accelerated agriculture-led growth, better nutritional outcomes, improved food security, land tenure security, greater resilience, and improved water security. The Activity uses an inclusive market systems approach to strengthen Tajikistan's agricultural systems, engaging with local and regional private sector actors to develop and expand market opportunities. The Activity's purpose will be achieved through three components: Component 1, Enhance productive agriculture systems; Component 2, Strengthen the resilience of vulnerable smallholders; and Component 3, Improve the enabling environment. The Activity's goal is to enable Tajikistan to strengthen its journey to self-reliance and reduce its overreliance on remittances. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, the Activity submitted and received USAID approval on several contract deliverables, including the FY2021 Q1 Quarterly Report, Environment Manual, and Framework Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan. The Activity also submitted several deliverables under review by the Mission, including the Value Chain Analysis, Agribusiness-focused Private Sector Landscape Analysis, and Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis. The Activity team was in the process of finalizing the Bumpers Analysis, which was submitted to USAID in early Q3, and initiated scope design for the Land Use Rights-Based Finance System Analysis, Climate Risk Resilience Assessment, and Women and Youth Employment Opportunities. The Activity team recruited several long-term staff members during Q2, including the Chief of Party, Resilience Team Lead, Agribusiness Specialist, Strategic Communications Manager, Finance Manager, Senior Accountant, Senior Nutrition Advisor, Program Coordinator, District Officers, and Operations staff. The Activity team began working from office space in Dushanbe in January 2021, following COVID-19 social distancing practices and DAI policies. The Activity also identified and signed the lease for the Bokhtar office and guesthouse in February 2021 and transitioned to working in the Bokhtar office in late March. The Activity has also identified an office and guesthouse space in Shahritus and is in the process of finalizing the lease agreement. During this quarter, the Activity incurred a total of $ in expenses, resulting in % of the current obligation spent, leaving $ of the obligation remaining. This was overall in line with FY2021 Q2 Accruals except for March 2021, which exhibited a variance of about %. The Activity has completed negotiations and subcontracts with key subcontract partners, including IntraHealth, Resource Equity, and Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia. The Activity's progress towards indicator targets is on track, with several key activities and deliverables completed or in progress. However, the Activity faces several implementation challenges, including the need to finalize the Bumpers Analysis and initiate scope design for several key activities. The Activity is working to address these challenges and ensure that all deliverables are completed on time and to the required quality standards.