1. Framework for Monitoring Learning & Evaluation
Presentation at Project Review and Planning and
Steering Committee Meeting
17 March 2014

2. What we need?
Evidence to assess whether we’re on track, in a timely manner, in a cost effective way
Data useful for project clients: farmers, hubs, BDS providers, project, donor
What we can afford?
In terms of budget
In terms of time for staff, farmers and other stakeholders
What we need to avoid?
Too many indicators of little relevance to the goal
M&E seen as ‘beans counting’
Biased data or evidence
Data and analysis ready too late or not targeted to the right people

3. Suggested MLE Framework principles
‘Usual monitoring‘
Monitoring of activities and outputs
For fund accountability purpose (direct relationship between fund use and activities)
An input into the other components (learning and evaluation)
Strong emphasis on ‘learning’
Regular and systematic collection and analysis of evidence on key outcomes and some impact indicators
At various levels of the value chain: farmers, hubs, VC actors
Both qualitative and quantitative
Will allow evidence based and timely feedback loops into project and hub activities
An input into the other component (monitoring and evaluation)
Less on ‘evaluation’
Mainly qualitative to understand the ‘why’ (why do things happen this way)
Use evidence from M&L,
Done externally for objectivity purpose
Mid term evaluation is an input into the other component (monitoring and learning)

4. Learning Cycle Project interventions Project Activities and outputs
Farmer and community change in behaviour
Outcomes at household and hub levels
Analysis and reflections

5. MLE framework- snapshot
Value chain assessment, to identify constraints and 1st ‘best bet’ interventions
Baseline survey, to measure level of outcome and impact indicators at project start
Monitoring of activities, outputs and outcomes- see next slide
Mid term evaluation: mostly qualitative, since quantitative data are available from monitoring activities
Final evaluation: quantitative

6. MLE framework- outputs and outcomes
Monitoring of outputs
To assess how the activities delivered the expected results
At farmers, groups and business providers levels
Monitoring of outcomes at farm level
To assess farmers uptake of technologies, milk productivity and dairy income
To assess farmers use of hub services
Monitoring of outcomes at hub and community levels
To assess DMH status in terms of organization, business entity and providers of inputs & services
Monitoring of outcomes at regional/ country level
To assess change in policy and mindsets of key decision maker

7. Suggested indicators Farm/ household level DMH level
Dairy technologies and practices uptake: feed, AH, management, breeding
Use of purchased inputs and services: milk marketing; purchase of feed; etc…
Use of hub purchased services, whether on check off or not;
Cow productivity
Price of milk, inputs and services
Dairy income, controlled by men and women
Highest and lowest milk production levels (for seasonality)
DMH level
Relationship between farmers groups and BDS providers
Type of services provided to members: milk bulking, transport, feed store, extension, etc..
Extent of use of check off system (value and frequency of transactions, by type of inputs& services)
Governance: timey and fairly conducted elections; attendance to meetings; gender and youth minimum requirements in leadership positions

8. Suggested indicators (cont.)
Regional/ country level
District platforms emerge and meet to deliberate on priority issues
New/ strengthened business solutions emerge
Emergence of actors associations, e.g traders associations and increased and more inclusive membership and participation (# of members, type (e.g. small scale/ medium etc), level of participation in meetings and decision making forums, etc..)

9. Group work Working groups representing:
farmers/farmer groups
inputs & service providers
traders & processors
researchers & development partners
ministry & government
Recall the objectives of “More milkiT” & “Maziwa zaidi” and address the following questions:

10. What can I collect on my own? I need help on what data and from whom?
Group work
Assignments
What are my data needs?
How will I use the data?
What can I collect on my own?
I need help on what data and from whom?