Impact Evaluation and Quantitative Population-Based Surveys for USAID/Mali’s Feed the Future (FTF) Cereal Value Chain (CVC) Activity

The project aims to undertake an impact evaluation of the CVC Activity and conduct statistically representative population-based surveys for indicators within the broader FTF initiative in Mali. The primary objective of the project is to provide information and data to support the evaluation of the CVC Activity and the broader FTF initiative in Mali. The project is being implemented by IOS Partners, Inc., with subcontractors including Cultural Practice LLC, IOD PARC, CARI-SARL, and AFAR-TCT. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Mali is the major counterpart organization for the project. The geographic coverage of the project is limited to Bamako, Mali. The project's reporting period is from March 2014 to June 2014. During this period, the project team conducted a preliminary arrangement and inception mission to establish the project's framework and scope. The team also completed key activities, including the development of a survey instrument and the selection of a survey company. The project's implementation challenges include potential challenges related to data collection and analysis, as well as the need to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data collected. The project team has developed a mitigation plan to address these challenges, which includes the use of multiple data collection methods and the implementation of quality control measures. The project's integration of cross-cutting issues and USAID forward priorities includes the consideration of gender equality and female empowerment, local capacity development, and science, technology, and innovation impacts. The project team has developed a plan to address these issues, which includes the implementation of gender-sensitive survey instruments and the provision of training to local stakeholders on data analysis and interpretation. The project's stakeholder participation and involvement includes the collaboration with USAID/Mali, the Government of Mali, and the CVC Activity implementer, ACDI/VOCA. The project team has developed a plan to engage with stakeholders, which includes the provision of regular updates and the solicitation of feedback. The project's management and administrative issues include the need to ensure the effective management of the project's budget and resources. The project team has developed a plan to address these issues, which includes the implementation of a project management information system and the provision of regular financial reports. The project's lesson learned includes the importance of establishing a clear project framework and scope, as well as the need to ensure the effective management of the project's budget and resources. The project team has developed a plan to apply these lessons learned to future projects, which includes the implementation of a project management information system and the provision of regular financial reports. The project's planned activities for the next quarter include the completion of the survey instrument and the selection of a survey company, as well as the implementation of data collection and analysis activities. The project team has developed a plan to address the potential challenges related to data collection and analysis, which includes the use of multiple data collection methods and the implementation of quality control measures. The project's implementing partner has addressed the A/COR comments from the last quarterly or semi-annual report by providing additional information and clarification on the project's activities and outcomes. The project team has developed a plan to address the A/COR comments, which includes the provision of regular updates and the solicitation of feedback from stakeholders. The project's impact evaluation and quantitative population-based surveys will provide information and data to support the evaluation of the CVC Activity and the broader FTF initiative in Mali. The project's findings, interpretations, and conclusions are entirely those of the authors and should not be attributed to the United States Agency for International Development.