Capacity strengthening to sustain delivery: In 2016, a total of 24,172 persons were trained, with a female participation of 47%. In total, 32,717 persons were trained up to 2016. Training topics cut across the whole legume value chain (e.g. execution of dissemination trials, postharvest practices, data collection using tablets, seed production, handling and application of inoculants, herbicides, market standards, gross margin calculations, business plan development, marketing and legume value addition).
Entry step for adoption of technologies: In 2016, a total of 117,313 farmers were reached (49% female) through various dissemination approaches. In total 374,717 farmers were reached up to 2016. In total, 1,685 demonstration and 34,897 adaptation trials were established in 2016 across all countries. The majority of households (41%) were reached through demonstration trials, followed by field days and agricultural shows (34%).
Last mile delivery of inputs: At project level, 53% of the 2016 target (3,045 tons year-1) for volume of seed used by farmers was achieved. With regards to inoculants and fertilizers, the project achieved an increase of 47% and 147%, respectively, as compared to 2015. About 62% of volume of inoculant target (25 tons year-1) and 31% of the volume of fertilizer target (5,075 tons year-1) were achieved. Inoculants were imported and/or produced in all countries.
Demonstrated output markets opportunities: Up to 2016, a total of 119,690 persons (49% female) were involved in collective marketing and value addition activities. Value addition activities were mainly related to soyabean and groundnuts and resulted in various high value products, such as soyabean flour, beverages, blend of soyabean flour and other cereals, soyabean cake, groundnut oil and cake.
Entry point to reduce drudgery: In 2016, 16,035 farmers used labour saving tools. About 63% of the 2016 set target (25,375 farmers) was achieved. Most farmers using labour saving tools used herbicides (e.g. 80%). Other tools included threshers, groundnut shellers and planters, amongst others.
Quality control for risk-reduction: Inoculant Quality Control is carried out in ten N2Africa countries. N2Africa supported government institutions such as Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania and Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute in Mozambique with equipment for inoculant quality control.
Harvest of agronomic research evidence: In 2016, various best-bet technology options were analysed and technology packages have been developed and integrated in the dissemination approaches, such as adaptation trials. This enabled farmers to learn, assess and evaluate such technologies for adoption to improve their productivity. The preliminary result of adaptation trials in 2016 showed the relative yield increase (%) of various legumes on N2Africa plots (adaptation trials) as a proportion of the yield on control plots (farmer main field plots). Regarding yield gains, the relative increase ranged from 6% to 138% across the countries and legumes for N2Africa plots compared to the control.
Partnerships as springboard for rapid achievements: The achievements of N2Africa were realized through Public-Private Partnerships. Up to 2016, 90 partnerships were formally signed with partners, such as agricultural research institutes, universities, local governments, private input suppliers, legume buyers, processors and development partners. In addition to partnerships, other national, regional, and district stakeholder platforms are used to address issues such as coordination and policy issues within legume value chains.
Systematic steering and timely learning loops: Further advances were made in our Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation System over the past year. The focus for 2017 will be on reviewing the M&E strategies of specific partners based on feedback generated in 2016. The developed online analysis tool (e.g. Shiny) will be finalized for both agronomy and M&E data and made available for use by all stakeholders in 2017.
See for more information: N2Africa Annual Report 2016
Theresa Ampadu-Boakye, IITA Kenya and Minke Stadler, Wageningen University & Research