Livestock and Nutrition Activity Annual Progress Report: FY20

The activity aimed to improve smallholder farmers' access to affordable cattle feed, link small and medium enterprises to financial services, strengthen the capacity of livestock service providers, raise nutrition awareness, and encourage private sector partners to lead social behavioral change campaigns. Improved fodder and forage demonstration and dissemination were key components of the activity. Demonstration plots were established in 15 communities, showcasing improved fodder and forage production techniques. These techniques resulted in a 60% increase in fodder production, enabling smallholder farmers to improve their livestock productivity. The activity also focused on improving livestock practices and technologies, including the use of mobile applications to enhance the capacity of livestock service providers. The activity made significant progress in improving access to hygienic, diverse, and quality food for rural households. Enhanced preservation of livestock products was achieved through the introduction of new technologies and practices, such as vacuum packaging and solar drying. This resulted in a 25% increase in the shelf life of livestock products, enabling households to access a wider range of nutritious food options. The activity also made notable progress in improving nutrition-related behaviors of rural households. Improved nutrition awareness and practices were achieved through social media campaigns and social behavioral change communication (SBCC) materials. The activity partnered with private sector companies to develop and disseminate SBCC materials, which were tailored to the needs of rural households. The materials focused on promoting healthy eating habits, improving food safety, and increasing access to nutritious food. Private sector partnerships were a key component of the activity. The 2019-2020 Grants Program provided funding to private sector companies to develop and implement projects that improved livestock productivity and nutrition outcomes. The 2020-2021 Grants Program built on the success of the previous program, providing funding to companies that developed innovative solutions to improve livestock productivity and nutrition outcomes. The activity made significant progress in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. The activity also supported women's entrepreneurship and increased/diversified income opportunities through training and capacity-building programs. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) were critical components of the activity. The activity conducted regular surveys and assessments to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement. The activity also implemented a document management protocol to ensure that data and information were collected and stored securely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The activity faced several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted implementation and data collection. However, the activity adapted quickly to the changing circumstances, implementing remote monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that progress was tracked and reported. The activity also learned valuable lessons from the pandemic, including the importance of flexibility and adaptability in responding to unexpected challenges.