Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS-AG) Quarterly Report, FY2020 Quarter 1

AID-625-C-14-00001. The project aims to improve the resilience and economic growth of smallholder farmers in the Sahel region of West Africa. REGIS-AG focuses on five components: identifying opportunities through value chain and end-market analysis, strengthening vertical and horizontal linkages in selected value chains, strengthening input supply and other services, increasing access to finance, innovation, and private sector investment, and improving the enabling environment for local and regional private investment. The project strategy is based on a value chain approach, using two pillars and two key tools. The first pillar focuses on improving market access for smallholder farmers, while the second pillar focuses on improving the productivity and competitiveness of smallholder farmers. The two key tools used are business development services (BDS) and value chain analysis. REGIS-AG has implemented various activities in the cowpea, poultry, and small ruminant value chains in Burkina Faso and Niger. The project has supported the implementation of beneficiary support plans, monitored the performance of beneficiaries, and facilitated products labelling and packaging improvement. REGIS-AG has also strengthened input supply and other services, including access to cowpea inputs and PICS bags, and provided basic equipment to community animal health auxiliaries. In addition, REGIS-AG has increased access to finance, innovation, and private sector investment through various activities, including facilitating access to finance in business clusters and warrantage schemes. The project has also mainstreamed gender in project activities and monitored the implementation of action plans by private sector organizations in business clusters. REGIS-AG has a robust monitoring and evaluation system, which tracks the project's performance indicators. The project has achieved significant results in FY19, including a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The project has a strong partnership landscape, with collaboration between CNFA, USAID, and local organizations. However, the looming end of REGIS-AG has negatively affected staffing stability, with staff mobility being a challenge. The project has also faced security concerns, which have been addressed through regular security assessments and risk management plans. Overall, REGIS-AG has made significant progress in improving the resilience and economic growth of smallholder farmers in the Sahel region. The project's results demonstrate the effectiveness of the value chain approach and the importance of strengthening market access, productivity, and competitiveness of smallholder farmers.