1. INVC Bridging Activity
Report for the Annual Review and Planning Meeting

2. Introduction
CRS is implementing the INVC Bridging Activity in 6 EPAs in Balaka, Machinga and Mangochi Districts.
Targeted traditional authorities are: Chathunya, Kachenga, Msamala and Sawali in Balaka District; Chamba, Chiwalo, Mposa and Nyambi in Machinga District, and Chowe, Chimwala and Mpondasi in Mangochi District.
CRS was specifically contracted to do activity 2 under component 2
The specific activities included:
Beneficiary identification and training in seed fair methodology
Training of local partner staff and MoA personnel in seed fair methodology
Seed availability and quality assessment
conducting seed fairs
Conducting community trainings in agronomy and marketing of legumes
Payment to vendors
Analysis of seeds accessed
Follow up with farmers on planting, germination, crop development, harvest and marketing
Conducting harvest and yield assessment

3. Seed Fair Planning Preparation and Hosting
Training of local partner staff on seed fair methodology
Planned number of local staff: 10
Achieved number of local staff:10
***These included both technical and support staff
Seed availability and quality assessment
This was done in collaboration with seed inspectors from District Agriculture Staff
It was done through inspection of seed supplier shops and warehouses before the seed fairs and also checking packaging information before and during the seed fairs.
The assessments showed that in some districts like Mangochi and Machinga, there wasn’t enough seed available hence it was agreed to invite back up agrodealers from other districts such as Zomba and Mwanza
Conducting Seed Fairs
No of seed fairs planned: 36
No. of seed fairs conducte: 36

4. Seed Fair Planning Preparation and Hosting
Conducting community trainings in agronomy and marketing of legumes practices
farmers were informally trained in agronomy for the 3 value chains during community sensitization meetings and seed fairs
The informal trainings focused on aflatoxin management for groundnuts, utilization of nitro fix in soya beans and proper seed rates for the all the three value chains.
AEDCS and partner staff were also reminded about the gross margin analysis during the quarterly review meeting

5. Progress of Seed fairs Activities Continued
Number of seed fairs beneficiaries and vendor payments
Targeted number of beneficiaries for seed fairs: (7200 M;10800 F)
Achieved number of beneficiaries who accessed seed: (6167 M, 11798F)
Summary of seed fairs results for the 3 districts was as presented in a table below:
***However some 24 farmers in Bazale EPA (Balaka) shared seed with their neighbours. Therefore, the new number of beneficiaries increased to (6179 M, 11810F).
Targeted
Bene.
Actual Beneficiaries
Vendors
Amount
Traded (MKW)
Seeds Accessed (kg) M F
Total
Groundnuts
P. Peas
Soya
18,000
6,169
11,796
17,965 31
503,020,000
71,572
69,651
53,594

6. Progress of seed fairs continued

7. A glimpse of the Seed Fair methodology
Vendor registration and online seed inspection
Beneficiary onsite registration and verification
Voucher acquisition
Seed purchase by beneficiaries
Vendor reconciliation
Vendor payment
*** Supporting documents (beneficiary register, seed voucher, voucher surrender form, voucher redemption form)

8. Monitoring germination, crop development and marketing
Monitoring was done through lead farmers (LF) reports
Targeted no. of LF to provide expert advice to farmers:720
Actual no. of LF who provided expert advice to farmers:50
*** Lead farmers were not motivated due to lack of training
Monitoring was also done through a project review meeting which was conducted with government and partner staff.
It was learnt that seed fairs contributed to increase in hectarage and production for legumes
For instance it was reported that in Balaka legume hectarage increased from 4527 to while the production increased from 350kg/ha to 650kg/ha

9. Monitoring germination, crop development and marketing Continued…
Surveys
Periodic surveys were conducted during the project period
A recent survey which reached a total of 221 beneficiaries from all the six EPAs in June, 2017 was conducted to assess, among others, the variables listed below:
Quantity of seed planted
Area planted
Seed germination
Cropping system engaged
Quantity of seed harvested
Utilisation of yield

10. Monitoring germination, crop development and marketing Continued…
Recent survey results
Average Amount of seed planted per beneficiary per seed type
District
Average Quantity of seed Planted per beneficiary
Groundnuts
Soya beans PP
Balaka 3 2
3.1
Machinga 4
2.9
Mangochi
3.81
2.7
3.41
Overall Average
3.60
2.53
3.50

11. Monitoring germination, crop development and marketing Continued…
Area Planted
Seed germination: pigeon peas 81.5%, Soya beans 66.95% and ground nuts with 62%.
***Reasons for low germination were mainly to do with dry spells which occurred immediately after planting especially in Balaka and Mangochi
Cropping systems engaged: 93% of soya was grown on pure stand, 98 percent of groundnuts was also on pure stands while 45% of pigeon peas was on pure stands.
***Pigeon peas was intercropped with other crops because land was already allocated to other crops
District
Average Area Planted in hectares per beneficiary per crop type
Groundnuts
Soya beans PP
Balaka
0.36
0.23
0.37
Machinga
0.29
0.44
Mangochi
0.13
0.18
Overall Average
0.26

12. Monitoring germination, crop development and marketing Continued…
Average Quantities Harvested in kilograms per beneficiary per seed type:

13. Monitoring germination, crop development and marketing Continued
Utilization of crop produced from the seeds accessed: the project encouraged farmers to keep their produce for early planting during the 2017/18 growing season
Estimated value of groundnuts and pigeon peas
Crop Name
Estimated value of produce
Average yield (kg)
Average Unit Price
Estimated Value (MK)
Groundnuts (0.26 ha)
69.32
300
20796
Soya beans (0.23 ha)
24.55
135
Total

14. Success Story: Quality seed through the INVC project has contributed to increased legume production in Balaka from 350kg/ha to 650kg/ha
Groundnuts for George Bwanali of Matipa Village, GVH Mpinganjira, T/A Sawali in Balaka District
Soya beans for Matiyasi Moyenda from Chimatiro village, Mpinganjira in T/A, Sawali in Balaka District

15. Challenges
Low germination especially in groundnuts caused by dry spells
Inadequate time for community sensitizations and preparation for seed fairs and agronomic messages
Pests such as termites and white grabs
Inadequate coordination with African Rising who mounted demonstrations on improved technologies

16. Way Forward
To support the previous beneficiaries with maximum agronomic support to produce more legumes for seed as well as market interaction.

17. Conclusion
The INVC Bridging Activity was relevant to the targeted farmers because farmers managed to get quality seed which will assist them to have start up seed for the next growing season.

18. Thank You for Your Attention