Mali L4G Monthly Report: February 2015

The program is implemented by AECOM International Development under contract AID-688-C-14-00004. In February 2015, L4G made significant progress in various components of the program. In Component 1, Livestock Production, L4G conducted a situational analysis workshop to develop private veterinary services in Koro and Bankass Cercles. The workshop brought together government partners, local stakeholders, and L4G staff to discuss the development of private veterinary services. L4G also trained its field staff on client self-reliance, client valorization of existing skills, and the use of financial services to complement clients' investments. In Component 1.1, Enhanced Technology Innovation, L4G is developing hands-on training modules and PowerPoint presentations on water harvesting to augment forage production and privatized veterinary services. A participatory diagnostic of 30 villages on or near the Bandiaga Falaise is underway for Bankass and Koro Cercles. The L4G team is also developing procedures for Payment for Performance (PfP) contracting for water harvesting and agro-forestry. In Component 1.2, Increased Access to Quality Inputs and Services, the L4G team met with Laboratoire Central Veterinaire (LCV) to discuss possible uses of their products and services. The team also met with representatives of Banque Malienne de Solidarité to discuss their interest in providing micro-loans to women and youth. In Component 1.3, Improved Community Literacy, Numeracy, Nutrition, and Hygiene Practices, L4G reviewed and updated functional literacy and numeracy curriculum content. In Component II, Livestock Trade, L4G is strengthening market linkages and access. The team is investigating constraints to improved market linkages for livestock and has begun to diagnose these constraints. A collaboration meeting was held with the West Africa Trade Hub on February 18th to discuss barriers to livestock cross-border trade. In Component III, Strengthened Local Capacities and Systems, L4G is strengthening the capacity of livestock value chain actors. Twenty public sector and civil society leaders will participate in the L4G workshop on privatization of veterinary services in Bankass. The Institut Formation Professionnelle (IFP) in Bankass requested that L4G accept student interns to support field activities. L4G is developing a producer organization evaluation tool and a hands-on training module on capacity building and transparent management for producer/herder organizations and women's business groups. In Component IV, Enabling Environment, there is no reportable activity for this month. However, a vast expanse of fertile land at Kanikombole village, Bankass, can be put into forage and Moringa production once upstream water harvesting structures are put in place.