SERA Year 5 Quarter 2 Report, January 1, 2016 – March 31, 2016

The project aims to improve the policy environment for agriculture and develop individual and institutional capacity to undertake policy analysis and advocate for policy reforms. SERA began in April 2011 and completed its fourth full year of operation on September 30, 2015. The project's period of performance was originally set to end on April 7, 2016, but a request for a no-cost extension was approved by USAID, extending the period of performance through August 30, 2016. During Quarter 2 of Project Year 5, which covers the period from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016, several activities were completed. A study tour to Mozambique for the Agriculture Business Environment Study was undertaken from January 17-23. The draft Maize Gender Report was completed on January 31, and additional data analysis was requested of Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). Don Mitchell attended the USAID Partner's Meeting in Morogoro from February 8-10, and Alex Mkindi participated in a workshop in Dodoma from February 15-19 on Agricultural Investment Incentives and the Agricultural Business Environment. Nancy Cochrane from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivered training on the construction of a Healthy Food Basket to staff of the Department of Food Security and Nutrition in Zanzibar during February 16-18, assisted by Aneth Kayombo of SERA. Don Mitchell conducted training on Economic Principles for Food Basket Methodology (FBM) in Zanzibar on February 18. The Food Basket Costs Policy Brief was launched at a workshop on February 19 by Don Mitchell, and Nancy Cochran made a presentation on the Healthy Food Basket. The No-Cost Extension Modification Proposal was submitted on February 25. Presentations and chairing of sessions at the Agriculture Policy Conference from February 23-25 included a presentation on Policy Options for Food Security by Don Mitchell. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives (MAFC) was reorganized in Quarter 1, and the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries were combined into a single ministry called the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MALF). This reorganization is reflected in the activities undertaken during Quarter 2. The SERA Chief-of-Party (COP), Marialyce Mutchler, was on leave during Quarter 2, and the Senior Advisor, Don Mitchell, was the Interim Chief-of-Party and was resident in Tanzania from January 9 to March 12. The project's activities during Quarter 2 demonstrate progress towards improving the policy environment for agriculture and developing individual and institutional capacity to undertake policy analysis and advocate for policy reforms. The project's focus on improving the policy environment for agriculture is reflected in the activities undertaken during Quarter 2, including the study tour to Mozambique and the launch of the Food Basket Costs Policy Brief. The project's emphasis on developing individual and institutional capacity is evident in the training sessions conducted by Nancy Cochrane and Don Mitchell. The project's progress during Quarter 2 is a significant step towards achieving its overall goal of improving the policy environment for agriculture and developing individual and institutional capacity to undertake policy analysis and advocate for policy reforms. The project's continued focus on these objectives will be crucial in achieving its overall goal and contributing to the development of the agricultural sector in Tanzania.