Hope Agency for Relief and Development (HARD)

To increase crop production among targeted households, HARD has specifically done the following:- • 1,800 highly vulnerable HHs have been supported with staple crop seeds • 8 Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) successfully established as learning centers Under result area 2, the program has purposed to increase HH incomes through alternative income generating activities and increased dietary diversity among targeted HHs through: • 2 cassava bulking sites established • 1000 vulnerable HHs supported with local chicken and goats The above interventions were adopted and promoted change due to: • Enhanced and shared knowledge, skills and awareness among population on diversified agricultural practices / experience sharing among villages • Capacity building at institutional level • Local Community engagement through Beneficiary Selection Committees Enabling conditions: • Enough land available through community for farming • Close work with Relief and Rehabilitation Commission • Local staff engagement Key Success factors have been: • Joint and Contingency planning with stakeholders • Close collaboration with line ministries • Appropriate community entry strategy and awareness raising • Presence of NGO forums and security information agencies in the area Obstacles so far met and proposed solutions: • Prolonged climatic (drought) conditions – Closely worked with RRC and UN agencies • Civil insecurity and unstable macroeconomic environment –Non-partisan approach, coordination with security networks (NGO Forum, UNDSS), Staff briefed were trained on safety and security management, • Inter-communal conflicts (IDPs) –Community dialogues