FY15 1ST Quarterly Report: Integrating Nutrition in Value Chains Project, Malawi

The project began in 2012 and is implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) in partnership with Save the Children Federation Inc. (STC) and Michigan State University (MSU). The project's primary objective is to enhance the competitiveness of Malawi's agricultural value chains, improve productivity, and increase access to diverse and quality foods among target populations. Component 1: Advancing Value Chain Competitiveness focuses on increasing access to markets, value chain efficiency, and access to credit and finance. Key activities include conducting market analyses, supporting industry participants in market development, and enhancing capacity to comply with standards and quality control procedures. The project also aims to strengthen producer, processor, and value chain-based trade associations. Component 2: Improving Productivity focuses on improving access to quality seed and other agro-inputs, increasing access to new technology and management practices, and improving access to effective advisory extension services and information. The project also promotes risk mitigation efforts, including conservation agriculture and environmental management and monitoring plans. Component 3: Improving Community Capacity to Prevent Undernutrition focuses on improving key nutrition-related behaviors within households, increasing access to diverse and quality foods among target populations, and enhancing consumption of a nutritious and sufficiently diversified diet. Key activities include determining factors that influence nutrition and feeding practices, developing behavior change communication strategies, and facilitating food processing and fortification. During the first quarter of FY2015, the project made significant progress in advancing value chain competitiveness, improving productivity, and improving community capacity to prevent undernutrition. Key achievements include the completion of market analyses, the establishment of producer and processor associations, and the distribution of quality seeds and agro-inputs to farmers. The project also facilitated the promotion of conservation agriculture and the development of environmental management and monitoring plans. The project's success is attributed to the strong partnerships between the implementing partners, the government of Malawi, and other stakeholders. The project's future plans include continuing to support the development of value chains, improving productivity, and enhancing community capacity to prevent undernutrition. Key activities planned for the second quarter include the facilitation of technology transfer, the improvement of access to post-harvest handling and storage options, and the promotion of risk mitigation efforts. The project's ultimate goal is to improve nutrition and food security in Malawi, thereby contributing to the country's overall development and poverty reduction efforts.