1. BACK TO OFFICE REPORT
Approving officers
Reporting Officer
Nigist Haile, Coordinator-Tigray Field Office
Haftu Halefom, National M&E Expert
Mission Dates October 19 to November 10, 2023
Region/Woreda visited Southern zone Woredas -Raya Azebo, Raya Cherccher, Neksege, Alaje, Selewa, Bora and
Seharti.
Date of report 27 November 2023
Purpose of the visit: The mission aims to oversee and verify beneficiary registration, compliance hearings, and Agri input
(Fertilizer & Vegetable seeds) distribution in the south and southeast regions of seven project-supported woredas in Tigray.
1. Background:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Ethiopia in collaboration with the Tigray Regional Bureau of
Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing a project "OSRO|ETH|219|USA" to conflict-affected farming households in
Tigray, funded by USAID. FAO Ethiopia has implemented a project to restore agricultural production in the region and contribute
to the 2023 irrigation season response by distributing fertilizers and improved seeds to smallholder farmer households in the region,
thus contributing to household food and nutrition security. By providing quality agriculture inputs, such as improved seeds and
fertilizers, the projects also aimed to enhance the awareness, knowledge, and capacity of targeted beneficiaries on good agronomic
practices, fertilizer utilization and post-harvest management.
FAO in collaboration with the BOA had planned to distribute 8,563 tons of fertilizer and vegetable seeds to 197,020 conflict-
affected smallholder-farming households during the upcoming irrigation season. FAO have signed a Letter of Agreement with the
Tigray Bureau of Agriculture to support beneficiary selection, registration, and training.
To that end, RO and BOA staff undertook a field monitoring visit from October 19 to November 10, 2023, in the Southern (Raya
Azebo, Chercher, Neksege, Bora, Selewa, and Alaje) and Southeast (Seharti) zones to supervise beneficiary registration and
verification, check for the existence of complaint and feedback mechanisms, and monitor the distribution of agricultural inputs. In
addition, provide an overview of the number of households that received fertilizer and vegetable seeds, broken down by woreda,
gender, and Tabia.
2. 2. Key Findings
1. Meeting with Woreda and Kebelle Structures
Upon arrival of the joint BOA and FAO monitoring team, meetings were held with woreda agriculture sector heads, administrators,
and staff. Regional BOA colleagues provided an overview of the project, target HHs, selection criteria, and distribution procedure.
Additionally, we asked the Woreda and Kebelle BOA staff members to share with us the specific schedules for beneficiary selection
and input distribution, and they did with each distribution plan and allowing us to monitor and supervise the distribution process.
2. Beneficiary selection criteria and process
The beneficiary targeting and registration started with community sensitizations for beneficiary targeting. Before the distribution,
beneficiary verification exercises were conducted by FAO staff members and BOA regional staff for each kebele to make sure the
proposed household met the criteria.
FGD findings with beneficiaries in almost all woredas reveal that beneficiaries were aware of the beneficiary selection criteria.
According to them, the DAs in their respective Kebelles provided detailed information about the project beneficiary selection
criteria, package amounts per household, and the organization that provides the inputs. And they found to specify all the selection
criteria; though, some beneficiaries did not know if they were selected for vegetable seeds because it does not cover all fertilizer
beneficiaries. Most Woredas' FGD participants noted access to irrigation, women-headed households, and vulnerable households,
whereas one woreda's (Selewa) FGD discussant mentioned some unfair ways to select beneficiaries due to personal connections.
Even though it was agreed that the selection criteria should be based on vulnerability criteria such as female headed HHs, HHs with
special needs and chronically ill, HHs severely affected by the conflict, and ultra poor HHs who cannot afford the cost of
agricultural inputs, FGD discussants in Selewa woreda reveal that those selection criteria receive little attention by beneficiary
selection committees. For example, following the beneficiary verification procedure, which was carried out by a joint monitoring
team of FAO and BOA regional offices, it was found that beneficiaries were chosen based on personal relationships with the
beneficiary's selection committees. As a result, the team decided to reselect beneficiaries in a more transparent and consistent
manner based on the stated selection criteria. The FGD discussants in Selewa confirmed a participatory beneficiary selection
process and expressed gratitude to FAO for enabling vulnerable households to access agricultural inputs after verification exercise.
Besides, the KII stated that one of the primary selection criteria for kebelles was access to potential irrigation land and the
vulnerability status of the household. As a result, kebelles with a high proportion of vulnerable households and those severely
affected by the conflict, besides those with irrigation potential, were given priority. The KII interview revealed that priority was
given to women-headed households and community members with irrigation access and ready for plantation, like the FGD. Those
HHs who do not have access to irrigation and are better off weren't eligible for this assistance.
3. The majority of FGD participants reported the establishment of a community-based beneficiary selection committee, which they
appreciate the most, in contrast to previous times when beneficiaries were selected by PSNP beneficiary selection committee, which
was characterized by biased and unfair treatment of beneficiaries. The committee currently consists of (elders, religious leaders,
women, and representatives from water users’ associations). However, in some woredas, such as Bora, the previously established
committee was still in place, and the FGD discussants beneficiaries got information about the distribution very late (the day before
or the same day as the distribution, or even no information at all in some instances).
It was observed that the woreda level BOA's involvement in the beneficiary selection and mobilization process, registration, and
input distribution was poor (especially in some woredas including Raya Chercher and Selewa Woredas). This led to delays in the
planned input distribution and a low sense of project ownership among the local government.
3. Distribution of the Agricultural inputs
The table below shows the woredas' current distribution status. The irrigation beneficiaries in every woreda have received
100% of the input, except for chercher, which received extra fertilizer, which has also reached all beneficiaries.
Zone Woreda HHs reached by input Type
1. Tomato=25g
2. NPS=25KG
3.UREA=25KG
1. NPS=25KG 1.UREA=25K
1. Onion=500g
2. Tomato=25g
3. NPS=25KG
4. UREA=25KG
Total HHs
reached
2.UREA=25K
G
G
Remark
Some fertilizer
left
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Chercher
Raya Azebo 934
Neksege
Alaje
Bora
1980 1958
1267
387
1192
980
6475
6599
357
688
700
0 10413
11550
1400
3456
3120
2136
2750
360
776
800
376
Southern 296
800
640
160
Selewa 190 1410
Sub Total
Southern
Southeaster
n
Grand
Total
4810
756
5974
1087
7061
16229
1885
5062
1392
6454
32075
5120
Seharti 100%
5566 18114 37195
4. 3.1. Perception on the type of inputs
FGD participants generally expressed their satisfaction with agricultural inputs provided by the organization. One of the FGD
discussants at Bora Woreda stated that FAO is preventing at least 4000-birr cost per household for the purchase of fertilizer and
seed for the irrigation season; this is a significant contribution, especially for those who could have purchased the inputs by selling
productive assets such as livestock and grain stocks.
The quality of the fertilizer was very much appreciated, while the quantity of fertilizer provided per household was deemed
insufficient by most of the FGD beneficiaries especially in the lowlands areas since their land size is bigger. Likewise, the vegetable
seeds especially onion was deemed as a good in quality in most of the woredas whereas the quality of seed for tomato was not
among the preferred once in the lowland areas of Southern Tigray (Raya Chercher and Raya Azebo). Accordingly, the preferred
tomato seed varieties in both woredas are Gelila and then Venus which are hybrid seed varieties even though FAO provided a Roma
VF type of seed. Likewise, FAO provided Bombay Red onions, but they preferred hybrid seeds such as red couch and rosttle type of
varieties. According to the FGD participants in Raya Azebo and Raya Chercher the average land size is .75 ha which is .5ha bigger
than the received amount of fertilizer and seed. They therefore suggested using land size-based packaging to help them achieve their
needs and be more effective.
3.2. Timeliness
According to the FGD and KII, the fertilizer arrived on time for the first cycle irrigation season, but the vegetable seeds for the
same cycle had to come earlier than August because most of the farmers had already used their own seeds for the first cycle
irrigation and planned to use the provided seeds for the second cycle irrigation season, which will begin in January.
3.3. Time-spent on the distribution
The travel distance to the distribution place varies from woreda to woreda and from Kebelle to Kebelle, according to the FGD
discussants. Some woredas, like Raya Azebo, might just need to travel for an hour and a half to get to the distribution site. whereas
recipients in woredas such as Bora and Raya Chercher must commute three hours to get to the distribution point. When asked how
long beneficiaries had to wait at cash distribution points, for example, the FGD participants in Raya Azebo and Alaje Woreda said
that because so many beneficiaries are invited to the distribution center each day, they sometimes have to wait up to two or three
hours at the agricultural input distribution points. Moreover, security issues in woredas like Raya Chercher were a significant
concern for HHs from Tigray's inaccessible kebelles, who raised concerns when returning home with fertilizer.
3.4. Utilization
Participants in the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) indicated that while fertilizer can be utilized for the current irrigation season,
5. vegetable seeds will be used for the upcoming second irrigation season, which begins in January.
3.5. Complains and Feedback Mechanisms
Complaints mechanisms were established in most of the project woredas. However, a system for routinely recording and responding
to concerns was missing. The team was unable to see the established compliant committee while hearing and managing complaints,
even though the kebele level structure confirmed the presence of the compliant hearing and responding committee at the kebele
level. Furthermore, the Kebelles often select the beneficiaries using the old PSNP beneficiary selection committee structure,
requiring for some capacity building on beneficiary selection and targeting.
Furthermore, it was noted that HHs had very little knowledge of complaint and feedback procedures, barely knew where to direct
their complaints, and had little awareness that these channels even existed. However, we suggested that the woreda BOA experts to
inform the beneficiaries of the FAO's free hotline, 7333, which allows them to directly report complaints and feedback. The
beneficiaries were given this information, along with other basic project information, during the distribution time.
4. Extension
Post-conflict extension and training services were deemed insufficient by KII and FGD discussants, but pre-war extension services
helped current agricultural practices. But, during distribution, BOA and FAO experts provided advice about fertilizer usage. In
general, farmers are not receiving the intended advisory and extension services by the extension workers. Key informants proposed
that providing counselling services to extension workers at the woreda and kebele levels would be beneficial in encouraging them to
revert to their previous extension activities. FGD participants in different woredas frequently mention utilizing demonstrations,
farmer field days and experience sharing and expert trainings as effective extension methods.
5. Support provided by others (NGOs or Government)
The AGP project, which is implemented by the regional office of agriculture, was the only organization to supply agricultural inputs
in a single woreda chercher. It delivered chickpea seeds. The KII stated that even though the region still needs agricultural inputs
and is currently severely affected by the drought, particularly in the Southern Zone's lowlands, NGOs and the government were
paying little attention to providing these inputs, particularly the provision of early-maturing seeds like chickpea, despite the
community's demand for them.
6. 2023 Meher Crop production Outlook
The crop production season has failed in many areas, particularly Raya Chercher and Raya Azebo, due to the exceptionally weak
Meher rains. Very few long-cycle meher crops, including high-yielding sorghum and maize, have been planted. The team observed
the low crop performance in the lowland areas during the field mission. Some farmers gave up planting their fields because of the
drought, while others were seen feeding their cattle the fresh leaves of their crops. The agriculture sector faces major challenges
6. including drought in lowland woredas, unseasonal rainfall impacting productivity, and crop disease like pulses disease and pest in
highland areas.
7. Conclusion
The distribution process was successful, and beneficiaries were satisfied with the agricultural inputs provided, despite some
ownership and involvement issues on the BOA side. In addition, the presence and backing of the FAO throughout the distribution
process was important. Some recommendations are provided considering the FGD results, and the information gathered from key
informant interviews with woreda experts.
8. Key issues and Recommendations
Issues Recommendations Management
Response
Weak engagement by Kebelle/Woreda
BOA in the distribution process
The findings revealed that though FAO participation in the process
was important, the BOA's ownership and engagement at the
woreda level was found to be minimal. As a result, in accordance
with the agreed LOA, BOA as the implementing organization shall
assume primary ownership and responsibility for implementing
FAO-funded projects in the future.
Issues with input amount According to the results of the FGDs, Raya Chercher and Raya
Azebo, the beneficiaries, were not satisfied with the quantity of
inputs they receive and are asking for an increase. Therefore,
further assessment needs to be conducted to figure out whether
increasing the input per HH is operationally feasible.
Compliance and feedback mechanism Although a compliant handling system has been put in place,
communities still need to be made aware of their rights to submit
complaints and the options available for giving feedback.
Moreover, the complaint hearing committee was found to be
unfunctional, suggesting the need for capacity building training to
the committee members.
7. Poor Extension and Advisory services
Need based support
FGD participants reported limited technical support for fertilizer
and seed distribution during planting season, urging extension
workers to offer agronomic practices and extension services to
HHs.
A needs assessment is conducted to determine land sizes and
desired inputs, allowing for adaptation of woreda level agricultural
input distribution to suit local preferences.
