USAID-COMPETE Partner Funding Support to EAGC Quarterly Report January-March 2012

The grant aimed at strengthening institutional coordination and regional structured grain trading systems through integrated regional market information systems, policy, and reduced barriers to trade. EAGC implemented various activities during this period, including regional and country office operations, review of the EAGC Strategic Business Plan, and structured trading systems. Regional and country office operations were implemented in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, with EAGC offices becoming operational. The council intensified its membership recruitment drive, recruiting 51 members in Kenya, 25 in Uganda, and 18 in Tanzania. Membership growth over the past five years showed an increase in membership from 42 in 2007 to 99 in 2012. The review of the EAGC Strategic Business Plan was also conducted, with the council developing a new Strategic Business Plan (SBP) for 2013-2017. A consultant was engaged, and a draft SBP was developed. Validation workshops were held with members and stakeholders in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and the new SBP was launched on April 20, 2012, during the EAGC's Annual General Meeting. Structured trading systems were a key focus area, with EAGC conducting a "Training of Trainers" workshop on Structured Trading System (STS) in Nakuru, Kenya. Twenty-seven officers from Cereal Growers Association and Kenya National Federation of Agricultural producers were trained on post-harvest management, grain standards and grading, grain handling, warehousing and storage, trading contracts, and market information sourcing. A study tour to a grain handling plant was also conducted to demonstrate practical applications of the knowledge acquired. The development of STS materials was also supported, with the translation of the STS Handbook/Training Manual and STS Farmers Brochure into Swahili, French, and Kinyarwanda versions. This was done to facilitate the training of farmers at the lower level. A consultative meeting in Tanzania was also held, where four working groups were formed to identify and formulate resolutions to address constraints towards structured trading in Tanzania. Market information systems were also a key focus area, with EAGC carrying out an end-user survey to evaluate the information needs of the region's staple foods value chain actors. The survey was conducted by Synnovate group and targeted 30 members and other key stakeholders per country. The final report from the consultant was submitted, and recommendations from members informed the final review of the new RATIN. The RATIN website overhaul process was also ongoing, with the major component done in January. By the end of March 2012, the entire project was about 98% complete, with the core system development fully completed.