Terminal monitoring and evaluation report on project entitled FFSP

Background

Between 2014-2016 Filtu Food Security Project in its 4th phase has been working with different methods on securing food through introducing improved seeds and new tools and methods in agriculture. The main objective has been to create access to improved agricultural inputs, dry land farming techniques and improved knowledge on gender and nutrition for enhanced quality of life.

Purpose/objective

The purpose of this terminal evaluation is to evaluate the project for the last 3 years, document the output and outcomes, lesson learnt and challenges, if any, to ensure that targeted beneficiaries have benefited from the FFSP. This terminal monitoring and evaluation covered Filtu food security project implemented in Filtu and it will be smoothly precursor for the next new anticipated project for Filtu and other districts of the zone and finding report will be shared with government concern offices and the implementing agency.

Methodology

The evaluation team mainly focused on qualitative data collection in order to assess the performance of the project as well as the impact of the project among the stakeholders.

Key findings

Regarding the project intervention area there was positive impact that can be justified to the concerns as observed by the monitoring and evaluation team. Shortly after project sites observation, interviewed key informant, focus group discussion and observation made by the monitoring team it was found that, the project progress was reached up to extent and beneficiaries were found appreciating support towards the FFSP and requesting continuation of the project. The community including line department appreciated the progress generally based on some mentioned activities:

• Established demonstration site at Hayadimtu and new nursery site at Mesajid community
• Establishment of women seed banking
• Intervention in agricultural activities
• Distribution of improved seed, vegetable seeds and seedling trees
• Different capacity trainings, like nutrition and health and hygiene training, water pump operator and maintenance training

The main weakness of the project is the lack of inclusion of livestock part in the design project from the very beginning consideration that the community depends on livestock. In relation to this factor livestock vaccination/ treatment and fodder for the pastoralist would have been more crucial for those who depend on livestock products as they depend on livestock. Another weakness of the project is the exclusion of emergency intervention fund like other implementing agencies when the need arises, because of the recurrent drought causing by el Niño episodic as result of global climate change.

Recommendations

The evaluation team has recommended EEMY-DASSC to target more people. Now the project is targeting few beneficiaries which does not match the higher need in the community, because as observed the need of the resilient agro-pastoralist community is more than targeted, even though, the initial target has showed good progress compared to the needy people.

Livestock should be included in the coming project. Inclusion of emergency intervention fund though Emergency WASH, livestock Drugs (vaccination/ treatment) and fodder for the pastoralist will have more benefit for those who depend on livestock products as they depend on livestock.

The monitoring team has also recommended DASSC to participate regular on humanitarian coordination meetings at zonal level and participate others assessment required by the zonal government at all level, thus would have weight support in terms of seeking fund from the back door and other required support by the Zone and regional government learning lessons from the past. Nursery sites, seedling distribution, Women seed bank cooperatives, established area enclosure, capacity buildings are all found went well during project lifespan and should be strengthened.

Comments from the organisation

When reading this evaluation it is all in all a positive report, but we don’t really get a good picture of the outcome of this project. The activity focus is high. But the project has now started a new project period and have taken some of the recommendations into consideration. For instance, the vaccination of cattle will be implemented. Also, they will start new demonstration sites in new areas and try to reach more people.