Njira Project AID-FFP-A-15-00003/AID-OAA-A-00018: Final Report

The first pathway focused on increasing access to information, services, and inputs, while the second pathway empowered men and women with life-changing knowledge and skills to influence behavioral change and increase adoption of best practices. The project's Theory of Change identified three major pathways: Economic Livelihoods, Maternal & Child Health and Nutrition, and Disaster Risk Management. Each pathway was mutually supportive at the activity, output, and outcome levels. Sector interventions were grouped together under respective purpose areas to maximize coordinated targeting and implementation. Livestock ownership among beneficiaries increased significantly, with goats, chickens, and pigeons showing notable gains. The sale of live chicken and eggs generated a monthly income range of $9.50 to $14.00 USD, making smallholder farmers more resilient to shocks. Irrigation farming also contributed to improved food and income security, with 225 hectares developed for this purpose. The project intentionally targeted women for economic empowerment through Women's Empowerment/Village Savings and Loans (WE/VSL) programs. Building human capacity and strengthening linkages with Government of Malawi departments remained essential as the project transitioned into its final year. In FY18, Njira successfully finalized commodity distribution, handed over irrigation schemes, closed the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) component, and graduated most WE/VSL and irrigation groups into marketing groups. Despite progress in improving crop and livestock production, the prolonged dry spell and Fall Armyworm had a negative impact on the last harvest from rain-fed crops. Farmers relying on rain-fed crops and local seed were likely to require food assistance, prompting a GoM-led humanitarian response supported by WFP and other partners. The Resilience Study, currently being finalized, showed that farmers rearing livestock and/or participating in irrigation farming were relatively food secure and could manage their household food needs without external assistance.