Value-addition in Agriculture from small dams in Burkina Faso (ProValAB 2)

Most important results achieved by 2023. Examples and analysis of the link between each result and the project's expected objectives. The most important results achieved in 2023 within the framework of component 1/ Infrastructure and governance of water and managed farmland concern: the creation of thirty-seven and a half hectares (37.5 ha) of irrigated perimeters at Sourgou (30 ha) and Nabadogo (7.5 ha), enabling women producers at these sites to improve their access to land. This result, combined with the training of fifty-nine (59) beneficiaries in the management of hydro-agricultural schemes, two hundred and eight (208) members of the Water Users' Committees in the maintenance of hydro-agricultural structures, and support for nineteen (19) of the Project's intervention communes in the implementation of the sustainable dam management mechanism, will enable beneficiaries to strengthen their level of governance with regard to hydro-agricultural infrastructures, thereby ensuring their sustainability. These results will serve as the basis for a qualitative analysis of ProValAB2's intervention logic. The completion rate for Component 1 since the start of the Project in 2022 is estimated at 65.37% at 2023-12-31 and 82.40% at 2024-06-30. Under component 2/ water and farmland development in 2023, ProValAB2 has improved beneficiaries' production capacity. The project provided beneficiaries with 30 tonnes of rice seed, 170 tonnes of mineral fertilizer (NPK), 81 tonnes of urea, 230 tonnes of Burkina Phosphate and 546 kilograms of compost plus activator. This support in agricultural inputs enabled beneficiaries at project sites to produce 3,012,930 kg of onions, 1,798,295 kg of tomatoes and 1,243,500 kg of rice. In addition, the stocking of twelve (12) permanent water bodies, (02) fish pens and 10 above-ground tanks has increased the availability of fish resources, leading to an increase in the quantities of fish caught/produced/processed. By way of illustration, the Project's beneficiaries derived a total income of SEK 210,415,211 from the sale of 1,885,965 kg of onions, 1,654,190 kg of tomatoes, 644,100 kg of rice and 29,742 kg of fish (Source: Annual Work Plan and Budget Implementation Report to September 30, 2023). The overall completion rate for Component 2 since the start of the project in 2022 is estimated at 73,60 % at 2023-12-31 and at 78.92% at 2024-06-30. In 2023, under component 3/ Economic development of agricultural products, one hundred and four (104) value chain actors in the "tomato" and "onion" sectors were trained in "the provisions of the OHADA uniform act on company law", fifteen (15) value chain actors in the "tomato" sector were trained in "contractualization", fifteen (15) value chain actors in the "tomato" sector were trained in "the use of specifications", fifteen (15) women processors from the tomato value chain trained in "marketing techniques", one hundred and twenty (120) beneficiaries were trained in in-situ tomato processing techniques, eighty-four (84) beneficiaries trained in agricultural product marketing techniques, 60 endogenous women trainers trained in rice parboiling techniques and 30 endogenous women trainers trained in rice husking techniques. This technical capacity-building will enable beneficiaries to avoid selling off their produce, especially tomatoes, at harvest time (when supply exceeds demand and the product is highly perishable), and to be able to sell their produce at a much more profitable price when the product is scarce on the market (when demand exceeds supply). This will always guarantee the supply of agricultural products on the market, thereby improving the competitiveness of agricultural products. The overall completion rate for Component 3 since the start of the project in 2022 is estimated at 60,08 % at 2023-12-31 and at 68.83% at 2024-06-30. Partnership with the NGO Practical Action/Project Productive Use of Energy As part of the implementation of the Renewable Energy for Agricultural Livelihoods (REAL-BF) program in Burkina Faso, ProValAB and the NGO Practical Action have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The synergy of actions between ProValAB2 and Practical Action has enabled the implementation of several activities to promote the productive use of renewable energy among ProValAB2 beneficiaries. As a result, 298 producers (44 men, 254 women) have benefited from awareness-raising and training on the productive use of energy, and community facilities (rehabilitation of boreholes and solar equipment, solar mills, construction of improved stoves, construction of biodigesters, ...) have been built for the benefit of beneficiaries. Brief analysis of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with results achieved in 2023. Satisfactions for 2023 include: - completion of thirty-seven and a half hectares (37.5 ha) of irrigated perimeters in Nabadogo and Sourgou, begun in the first phase of the project; - improved agricultural (3,012,930 kg of onions, 1,798,295 kg of tomatoes and 1,243,500 kg of rice) and fisheries production; - improved income for beneficiaries (sale of 1,885,965 kg of onions, 1,654,190 kg of tomatoes, 644,100 kg of rice and 29,742 kg of fish, with a total income of SEK 210,415,211; - training producers in the use and management of hydro-agricultural facilities; - training members of water user committees in the maintenance of hydro-agricultural facilities. Unexpected results in 2023: This concerns the unfinished results of studies currently underway, in particular evaluation of agricultural yields and production in the Project's intervention sites, and updating of biodiversity indicators. Due to political problems (double coup d'Etat) in 2022, disbursements for the project were suspended, resulting in a significant delay of the project until the end of 2023, which meant that the contracts signed for the construction of works and the development of market garden production sites could not be implemented until the end of 2023 and 2024. With the phase-out decision, the Embassy agreed with ProValAB that only contracts concluded and signed by the end of 2023 would be implemented. These activities have been included in the revised work plan and budget for 2024. The main objective assigned to RISSNE should be to follow up on this directive so that the activities can be completed by 2024-12-31.

The overall goal expected from the submitted project (ProValAB2) is "The living conditions of households in the project intervention area have improved by exploiting water from small dams through the development of promising value chains. The achievement of this overall goal is dependent on three (3) outcomes which are: i) users put in place good governance for the sustainable management of infrastructures, water resources and developed lands; ii) farmers increase quantitatively and qualitatively their agricultural, forestry/tree, pastoral and fish farming production; iii) producers and other players in value chains improve their economic and social performance. Expected outputs or tangible changes are: 1) Agricultural and fish production capacities and means have improved, 2) Water resources and developed agricultural land are better managed, 3) Agricultural production and productivity have increased, 4) The quantity of fish caught/produced/processed has increased, 5) Producers ensure good post-harvest management of their products and increase the quantities sold, 6) Stakeholders have better access to the market, 7) Product supply has improved, 8) Access to credit has improved, 9) Women's economic status and social role have improved.