Mid-Term Evaluation of Armachiho Food Security Development Project

Background:
This Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus-Development and social service commission’s (EECMY-DASSC’s) project is being implemented in three watersheds in two woredas of North Gonder and runs from 2011 to 2013 according to the agreement signed between EECMY-DASSC and concerned government line bureaus. The midterm review covers the current project phase and deals with the project period from January 2011 to September 2012.

Purpose/ Objective:
(i) To assess the project's progress; whether it is moving to the expected outcome as per planned/scheduled or not (ii) To make adjustment/alignment for better progress and achievement of the intended outcome in the remaining project period.

Methodology:
Participatory involving NCA, the implementing partner (EECMY-DASSC), concerned government bureaus/offices and community representatives.

Key Findings:
(i) Delay in scaling up/expansion of highland fruits production, and delay in creating linkage with market and research institutions, (ii) Limitation in speeding up the process of self-help groups identification, their asset building and organizing them in cooperatives and strengthen for sustainable own livelihood engagement, (iii) Limited efforts; in strengthening the integrated watershed development approach for effective conservation/rehabilitation, management and equitable utilization of the resources; including Watershed Development Committees (WDCs) establishment and strengthening at each watershed, establishing and strengthening Watershed Development Technical Teams (WDTTs) at woreda level to ensure sustainability of the project.

Recommendations: To focus on: (i) Scaling up/expansion of highland fruits production (seedling propagation and rootstock multiplication at selected farmers' fields, enabling them to distribute the matured seedlings to farmers and transfer knowledge), making efforts on creating linkage with market and research institutions, (ii) Speeding up the process of self-help groups identification, their asset building and organizing them in cooperatives and strengthen for sustainable own livelihood engagement, and (iii) Strengthen the integrated watershed development approach for effective conservation/rehabilitation, management and equitable utilization of the resources; including Watershed Development Committees (WDCs) establishment and strengthening at each watershed, establishing and strengthening Watershed Development Technical Teams (WDTTs) at woreda level to ensure the sustainability of project.

Comments from Norwegian Church Aid (if any):