INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT FOR ECM FOOD AID AND FOOD SECURITY PROJECT NO 101606 (DECEMBER 2009 TO JANAUARY

2010) SUBMITTED TO CORDAID

Episcopal Conference of Malawi Name of Implementing Agency: Address of Coordinating Agency Title of Project: Project Number Location Project Start Date Project End Date Overall Objective Catholic Development Commission in Malawi of Chikwawa Diocese PO Box 30384, Lilongwe 3, Malawi Food Aid and Food Security, Chikwawa Diocese 101606 Chikwawa Diocese ( Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts) 1st December, 2009 28th February, 2010 To improve livelihood and food Security of 1,000 vulnerable households in Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts undermined by drought and floods 1,000 households 1st December 2009- 31st January 2010 Louis Kawenda Carsterns Mulume Euro 100,000.00 Euro 100,000.00 15th February, 2010

Direct Beneficiaries: Reporting Period Authors of the report Project Total Budget Total Funds Received Date of submission

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Episcopal Conference of Malawi through its Relief and Developmental Arm titled the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi has been implementing a food aid and food security project in the Diocese of Chikwawa since 1st December, 2009. The project who seeks to improve the livelihood and food security of the vulnerable groups is targeting a total of 1,000 households (500 from Chikwawa District and 500 from Nsanje District). The Districts were hit by dry spell and drought during the 2008/2009 growing season which resulted into food insecurity of 56,000 households in Chikwawa and 34, 000 households in Nsanje. For the period between December, 2009 and January, 2010, the project has made tremendous achievements as per specific objectives and activities as outlined in the project proposal. Under specific objective 1 To improve food security of 1,000 households in Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts, a total of 1,000 households have been provide with relief food in the following food basket ( 50 kg bag of maize, 5 kg bag of beans, 5 kg bag of Corn Soy blend and 2 litres of cooking oil) on a monthly basis. This translate into 100,000 kgs ( 100.0 mt) of maize, 10,000 kgs ( 10.0mt) of beans ,10,000 kgs ( 10.0 mt) of Corn Soya blend and 2,000 litres of cooking oil. The food basket was meant to meet the nutritional requirement of 2100 kclas per person per day as per the Spheres Project. The food gap/insecurity has been reduced through provision of the relief food items. Under specific objective 2 to improve crop production through access to improved seeds/planting materials, a total of 500 households have accessed seeds/planting materials. 20 metric ones of sweet potato vines, 1 metric tone of sorghum and 1.0 metric tonnes of cowpeas have been distributed and planted to over 10 hectares. It is expected that once the harvests are out, 500 households will increase their agricultural production and improve their livelihood and food security situation. In addition 500 households have been trained in proper agronomic practices and are currently using the knowledge gained i.e. practising Sasakawa Planting system (one seed per planting station). This technology has proved to increase the yield to double per unit area. Some of the notable challenges include the dry spell that has hit the more than six Districts in the Country including the districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje. A total of 121,000 households have been affected in Malawi and out of this 80,000 households are from Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts. More than 250 hectares of crop land has been dried by the dry spell which occurred in December 2009 and January 2010 of which 120 hectares are from Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts. Networking and collaboration has resulted in sharing of beneficiary list among the stakeholders in Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts as well as at the National Office. This has avoided double targeting of the households as each humanitarian organisation was allocated a specific impact area by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and the District Executive Committee of the District Assembly. The food security of the selected 1,000 households has increased following the provision of the relief food items. The selected households have food reserves from the project in the critical months of DecemberMarch and there are no reports of malnutrition of fewer than five children in the impact areas due to provision of corn soy blend. From the progress report, we recommended that the farmers excessively engage in winter cropping and small scale irrigation to mitigate the effects of the dry spells which has resulted in wilting and drying of crops which were planted using the rain fed agriculture. Currently, farmers are practising the winter cropping

where they have planted maize seed, sweet potatoes, assorted vegetables, cassava cuttings and sorghum. This will ensure improved livelihood of the vulnerable households as effects of climate change is being felt heavily now.

1.0 COUNTRY OPERATING CONTEXT. Southern Africa, where Malawi lies, is one of the regions estimated to be most at risk from climate change. While policy responses to global warming have been mainly driven by debates among scientists, the insights of poor people living on the frontline have been largely neglected. Malawi is an already severely poor country facing an AIDS pandemic, chronic malnutrition, declining soil fertility, shortages of land and inadequate agricultural policies. About 6.3 million Malawians live below the poverty line, the majority in rural areas, with more than 90% relying on rain-fed subsistence farming to survive. Evidence strongly suggests that increased droughts and floods may be exacerbating poverty levels, leaving many rural farmers trapped in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability. Due to over reliance on rain-fed agriculture, peoples livelihood are very vulnerable to shocks. Floods and drought are the most frequently occurring natural hazards in Malawi and have been classified to cause the highest economic losses. With regards to economic losses, in recent history, Malawi was most affected by droughts of 1987, 1992, 1994, 2004 and 2005. On the other hand floods related cyclonic weather patterns have occurred in 1991, 1997, 2001, and 2003 and more recently in 2008. The 2009/2010 dry spell that has affected more than 121,000 households and damaged more that 250,000 hectares of land have seen three people being killed on suspicious that they are holding the rains. They were suspected to be practicing witchcraft and holing the rains. This development has been condemned heavily by Police, Government and civil societies. Civil Society organizations have called for an intensive training in climate change to rural people, local leaders, district authorities and school going children. The dry spell is attributed to effect of climate change and this has to very clear to farmers to avoid a similar scenario in future. They have also called for mainstreaming of the DRR in livelihood, food security and other programs/projects. 1.1 Food Security situation and Vulnerability

The food security situation remains favorable except for the districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, and parts of Balaka, and Zomba districts, where prolonged dry spells caused production failures in the 2008/09 production season between January and March 2010; however, while food production is expected to remain favorable between April and June, total production is likely to be reduced in the 2010 harvest in the districts of Mwanza, Neno, Chikwawa Nsanje, Mulanje, Phalombe, Balaka, and Ntcheu. Unfavorable cotton marketing further eroded household incomes, thereby affecting market-based food access opportunities. An updated MVAC assessment conducted in October found that the number of foodinsecure people in need of urgent food assistance had increased to 275,168 from 147,492 due to eroded incomes from cotton sales which had sold at an average of MK 30/kg as compared to MK 65 in the 2008 marketing season. In a meeting on December 8, 2009, the NFRA reported that the Strategic Grain Reserve had 140,000 MT against a set maximum of 60,000 MT. They also reported that they were in the process of tendering for the purchase of an additional 30,000 MT. The Grain Traders Association of Malawi, which encompasses large private grain traders, declared 74,375MT of stocks in its possession. ADMARC reported that as of December 4, 2009, it had procured a stock of 44,917 MT of maize, 5,000 MT paddy rice, and 1300 MT of pulses. Reports from non-affected districts indicate that households are still consuming food from their own production, with some districts registering below three percent of households which have run out of food from production as of November and December 2009. This shows that the country has enough food

stocks. On January 12, 2010, ADMARC communicated that they had started selling maize at MK 60/kg, which would be officially announced by the Government in the following week or two (Famine and Early Warning Systems Network Malawi Food Security Outlook January-June 2010). 1.2 Rainfall and Vulnerability Rains have started in all three regions of Malawi, and the majority of farmers have planted. However, the rains have been sporadic, with dry conditions persisting, especially in the South. This will likely lead to local food deficits. By the end of December 2009, the suppressed rainfall was reported to be hindering basal dressing and causing crop wilting. Short-term rainfall forecasts show persistent dry spells continuing in the south. The government has so far identified more than 121,000 households whose crops have either wilted or not germinated, and will have to replant. This is a preliminary count, and the figure is expected to rise significantly, because some districts have not yet been assessed. No program to support these households with inputs has been announced. From December 6-20, 2009, Karonga District (Mzuzu Diocese) was hit by series of earthquakes have caused displacement and disruption of farming activities. 1, 557 houses collapsed, 4, houses had cracks, 186 people were injured and 4 people died. This may cause local production failures. The situation requires close monitoring. (Famine and Early Warning Systems Network Malawi Food Security Outlook January-June 2010). 1.3 Food availability and Food prices Most of the poor and middle households are now dependent on markets for food in all the food-insecure districts. However, instead of maize price rising as we enter the peak hunger period, prices in most markets including those in the affected areas have either stabilized or are experiencing a slight decrease. In Nsanje as of December 14, 2009, a district agriculture office reported that maize was selling at MK 45/kg in the local markets and MK 60/kg in ADMARC markets. Apart from those populations identified as food insecure by the MVAC, most households were accessing food through purchases after realizing income from sugarcane, fruit, and forest-based products, livestock, and fish sales in addition to incomes from casual labour. So far, no abnormal coping has been reported. Maize was available in all local and ADMARC markets with households preferring to buy the cheap maize from the local markets and not ADMARC. In Chikwawa, maize was readily available in the local markets with vendors charging MK 45 48/ kg, which is still cheaper than the MK 52 charged by ADMARC in the 2008 season. Most of the maize was coming from Mwanza, Blantyre, Thyolo, and Mozambique, yet it was still selling at a cheaper price, indicating that there was no pressure on maize demand. As for Balaka, maize was available in local markets; most of it was being supplied from Mwanza, Ntcheu, Mchinji, Mulanje, and Mozambique. As of November 30, 2009, maize was selling in local markets at MK 40 to MK 50/kg. To access food, households were adapting coping strategies such as engaging in casual labour (ganyu), intensification of charcoal burning, collection of firewood, petty trade, quarry mining, and sale of small livestock. Part of Chingale EPA in Zomba, which lies along the Middle Shire livelihood zone and borders the vulnerable Balaka EPAs, had 16,153 people at risk due to income losses from cotton marketing. Markets in this area were being supplied by areas in the same EPA that lie in the Shire Highlands livelihood zone and experienced surplus production. Maize was readily available, but households were not purchasing the food due to eroded incomes. In Chingale, maize was selling at an average price of MK 55/kg, well above the current national average of MK 35 to MK 45/kg (Famine and Early Warning Systems Network Malawi Food Security Outlook January-June 2010).

2.0 PROJECT CONTEXT According to Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) of which CADECOM is one of the active members in its June 2009 state of food insecurity and vulnerability in Malawi for 2009-2010 report indicated that the national outlook of food availability is very good. Cereal production for the 2009-2010 consumption year shows that Malawi produced 3.6 million metric tons of Maize against a national requirement of 2.4 million metric tones. This means that Malawi has 1.2 million metric tons maize surplus. Last years surplus was 0.5 million metric tons. The good crop production has been attributed to favorable weather conditions and increased input uptake from the agricultural input subsidy programme. Despite the good rains, three districts in southern Malawi namely: Chikwawa, Nsanje and Balaka experienced some prolonged dry spells which caused local production deficits. These deficits have also led to reduced access to seeds/planting materials for the households and according to FEWSNET Malawi Food Security Outlook April to September 2009 report, these households will also require seeds to enable winter and rain fed agriculture to take place. The report indicated that some households in affected three districts will need support to access food especially in the last 2 quarters of the year (December 2009- March 2010). Summary of the food insecurity situation were as follows. District Chikwawa Nsanje Mangochi Total Population 438,895 238,089 316,748 993,732 No of Food Insecure % of the food insecure Households households 57,596 13.2 34,564 14.5 55,332 17.46 147,493 14.8

It is of the above background that the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi, which is the relief and developmental arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi developed a proposal in food aid and food security to respond to the situation. Project Overall Objective Livelihoods of vulnerable households undermined by drought and floods improved in Nsanje and Chikwawa Districts in Malawi Project Specific Objectives 1. Improved food security of 1,000 vulnerable households in Chikwawa Diocese by March 2010 through access to food aid. 2. Improved crop production of 500 vulnerable households in Chikwawa Diocese by March 2010 through access to seeds/planting materials Project Expected Results

1. 1,000 food insecure households meet their immediate food requirement 2. 500 seed insecure households enhance their crop production through access to seeds/planting materials.

3.0 3.1

PROJECT PROGRESS National Office

National Office has a number of key tasks that it had to perform in this project. Some of the notable tasks include: Networking and collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) , Famine and Early Warning Systems Network ( FEWSNET) , Donor partners and other relevant stakeholders at the National level, District Executive Committee ( DEC) at the District level. Facilitating planning meeting of the project with Chikwawa Diocese Monitoring project Implementation Reporting to the donor partners and other stakeholders

Progress towards objectives-National Office Specific Objective 1: Improved food security of 1,000 vulnerable households in Chikwawa Diocese by March 2010 through access to food aid Planned Activity Implemented activity Achievements ( Impact) Challenges Lessons Learnt Comments To conduct 1 planning meeting 1 planning meeting was for the project targeting 5 conducted in Chikwawa Diocesan staff members CADECOM Central Office on 30th November, 2009 with an attendance of two national office staff and 5 Chikwawa Diocese staff The planning meeting came up with the implementation plan and beneficiary selection criteria which have resulted into implementation of the project according to plan with the first distribution in December and the second in January as planned. The project has targeted the right beneficiaries using the set selection criteria which included food insecure households, the chronically ill, the orphan headed households National Office has contributed to improvement of food security situation of 1.000 households through the project. It has also strengthened its networking and collaboration and increased the marketing of CADECOM work in Networking and collaboration with other stakeholders at both National and District level is key in projects of this nature as it has resulted in do double targeting of the beneficiaries as CADECOM was allocated an impact area within its overall impact area to implement the project and no any other stakeholder was allowed to operate in the same area

To conduct three networking 3 networking and and collaboration meetings with collaboration stakeholders meeting/communicatio n took place. The department of Disaster Management Affairs was informed about the project and was the one who allocated the Districts where the project should be

Networking and collaboration results into targeting the right beneficiaries and impact area. Beneficiary list and reports have been shared with stakeholders at National and district level

implemented, while the Malawi which can inform District Assembly the basis of advocacy and allocated the impact lobbying area in the District where the project should be implemented CADECOM also shared the project with MVAC and FEWSNET as key partners in the assessment of food security and vulnerability in Malawi. Monthly reports have been send to the disaster department and other donor partners who were interested in the project updates i.e. USAID ( Food For Peace) To procure 150 metric tonnes of maize,6000 litres of cooking oil, 7.5 metric tonnes of corn soy blend and 15 metric tonnes of beans ( pulses) for distribution 150 metric tonnes of maize, 6000 litres of cooking oil, 7.5 metric tonnes of corn soy blend and 15 metric tonnes of beans were procured from Rab Processors in early December, 2009. The food items were supplied and delivered within the month which saw the first distribution taking place during the last week of December, The supplied and procured food items has reduced the food gap among 1,000 households as it enabled them to meet their immediate food requirement and improve their food security situation Presence of internal procurement committee , procurement guidelines and contract agreements made it possible to procure the food items professionally and within a short period of time( two weeks) Samples of the food items were sent to Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) for testing against the set commodity specifications. Results has shown that the meet the set specifications. This was done before distribution of the food to ensure safety standards as outlined

2009 Specific Objective 2: Improved crop production of 500 seeds/planting materials Procurement of seeds/planting 20 metric tines of sweet materials (20 metric tonnes of potato vines, 1 metric sweet potatoes,1 metric tons of tons of sorghum seed sorghum, 1 metric tons of and 1 metric tons of cowpeas cowpeas seed was procured from Liwonde Market Resource Center ( MACE FRANCHISE) and distributed to 500 households for planting to respond to the seed insecurity situation To monitor implementation of 1 monitoring visit was the project ( food and seed conducted during the distribution and crop stand two months. It was conducted in January, 2010 during the second distribution. It was conducted by the National CADECOM Secretary, the National Relief Coordinator

in the spheres project vulnerable households in Chikwawa Diocese by March 2010 through access to The seeds/planting materials once harvested will increase the crop production and improve the crop yield resulting in improved livelihood and food security of the selected households Need to procure another seeds/planting materials using the savings from the material purchase budget line as the crop stand of the distribute crops is not promising due to the dry spell and farmers need to re-plant in the dambo to avoid the looming hunger National Office through its Communication Department produced a video documentary of the visit which has been shared with the partner during the submission of the Interim Report of the DRR. Both electronic and print media attended the event and reported on the same Through the media, CADECOM has been able to market it work

With the change of rainfall pattern due to effect of climate change , farmers need to engage seriously in winter cropping / small scale irrigation to mitigate the effect of dry spell which has hit the impact areas and other five districts There is need for farmers not to depend on rain fed agriculture only as the year has seen five districts being hit by the dry spell and crops being wilted and dried. Farmers need to re-plant in the dambos (winter cropping) if they have to mitigate the effects of dry spells due to climate change. For those farmers without irrigable land, they need to diversify their income sources to enable them purchase

The crop stand is vey pathetic and not promising. Even the drought resistant crops i.e. Sorghum has succumbed to the dry spell and if farmers do not re-plant in winter, hunger is looming. Monitoring provided first hand assessment on the crop stand and food security situation in the area

the food and improve which will form basis their livelihood for advocacy and lobbying for access to food and seeds by the affected households To submit one interim report ( narrative and financial) before submission of end of project report 1 interim report ( narrative and financial ) has been compiled and being submitted to the partner ( this one) which is in line with the project agreement The report provided and opportunity to track progress of the implementation in relation to the project document ( proposal) Reporting provide a basis for assessment of progress of the project

CHIKWAWA DIOCESE Chikwawa Diocese lies in the southern region Of Malawi. The Diocese is made of Chikwawa, Nsanje and part of Thyolo District District. Chikwawa has a population of 438,895 while Nsanje has a population of 238,089 (2008 population census report) The beneficiaries were selected based on the following criteria: Food insecure households who have no food from their own production or from other sources Food Insecure HIV and AIDS infected and affected households Food insecure female headed households Food insecure child-headed households Food insecure orphan headed households Under five malnourished children Food insecure elderly headed households Households with access to land and willing to produce summer crop. The following households were selected in the three impact areas: District Nsanje Chikwawa Total Parish Tengani Kalemba Ngabu T/A Tengani Mbenje Ngabu Sub-Chief Masache Number of Beneficiaries Men Women Total 121 129 250 88 162 250 and 181 319 500 390 610 1,000

According to the developed implementation plan, the Diocese was tasked to do a number of activities in the project to contribute to attainment of project objectives and overall goal. Among the key activities were as follows: To conduct sensitization at District Executive Committee ( DEC) in Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts Conduct DEC Meeting To conduct recruitment of temporary project staff ( food distribution Officers) to assist in the execution of the project To conduct sensitization meetings with the communities To conduct actual distribution of food and seeds/planting materials To conduct food distribution monitoring T o conduct capacity building of farmers in proper agronomic practices To submit monthly reports to National Office The project impact areas are as below: District Nsanje Parish Tengani Kalemba T/A Tengani Mbenje Villages Dodomeka, Chitsa, Sapatongwe, Mtondo, Kachere, Pangeti, Kazingizi and Mangani Sorjeni, Sikedi, GVH Anne, Mello,

Chikwawa

Ngabu Ngabu

Ngabu and SubMasache

Kachelenga and Kuyeli Nyambiro, Machado and Chingondo. Chief Thenesi , Ndandika and Mtuwa

Picture 1:

Relief food items in the warehouse at Ngabu Parish, Chikwawa Diocese Picture2:

Food Distribution Exercise to the food insecure households in Nsanje District

Picture 3:

Due to extreme hot weather, about 2% of the procured sweet potatoes vines got scotched with the sun before they could be planted.

PROJECT PROGRESS TOWARDS OBJECTIVES-CHIKWAWA DIOCESE Specific Objective 1: Improved food security of 1,000 vulnerable households in Chikwawa Diocese by March 2010 through access to food aid Planned Activity Implemented Activity Achievement Challenges Lesson Learnt Comments ( Impact) To conduct 1 planning I planning meeting The planning meeting Networking and meeting with the National conducted , attended by 7 came up with the collaboration with other Office targeting 5 staff staff members, two from the implementation plan stakeholders at both members National Office in and beneficiary National and District November, 2009 selection criteria level is key in projects of which have resulted this nature as it has into implementation of resulted in do double the project according to targeting of the plan with the first beneficiaries as distribution in CADECOM was December and the allocated an impact area second in January as within its overall impact planned. The project area to implement the has targeted the right project and no any other beneficiaries using the stakeholder was allowed set selection criteria to operate in the same which included food area insecure households, the chronically ill, the orphan headed households To sensitize District Executive Committee members on the project in Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts Two DEC meetings were conducted in Nsanje and Chikwawa Districts The meeting was also attended the District Disaster Protection Committee. A total of 59 people (54 men and 5 women ) CADECOM was assigned to implement the project in the site where they are impacting the current DRR programme so as to have maximum impact and sustain the activities under the DRR It lead to no double targeting of beneficiaries as all the stakeholders in the two districts were allocated areas where they have to operate if they have a project to respond to the food insecurity situation

To recruit six temporally staff members to assist in the execution of the project

Four food distribution officers, 0ne food aid monitor and 0ne warehouse keeper have been recruited

The project is being implemented as per the developed implementation plan due to the presence of staff Sensitization meetings assisted in the targeting of the right beneficiaries as the committee and local leaders were aware of the criteria and applied the same when selecting 1,000 project beneficiaries 1,000 households have reduced their food requirement gap and have food reserves during the critical months (DecFebruary). No reports of malnutrition due to food insecurity as previously reported Identification of the warehouse made it possible to stock the food items before being transported to final distribution centers for distribution to the beneficiaries Food security of 1,000

To sensitize 3 communities from Chitsa, Dolo and Ngabu on the project

3 communities sensitized on the project interms of objectives, time frame, targeting criteria, food basket

Project of this nature ( emergency ) need already qualified staff as evidenced by the good quality work of the staff members that have been done Sensitisation helps the target communities understand the project and targeting as per the set criteria a and implement the activities as outlined in the project document Provision aid ensures food security in the next season as the target households are able to concentrate in their crop fields rather than going out for casual labour in search of food. They have also power to work effectively in their fields Presence of Diocesan Warehouses is very key as it lessen the storage problems and reduce the rental charges

To target 1,000 households to benefit from the food distribution

Targeted a total of 1,000 households ( 310 men and 690 women)

To identify 1 warehouse to stock the food commodities during the project life span

1 warehouse was identified by Ngabu Parish at a cost of MK10,000.00 per month

To distribute food aid ( 100

Distributed 100 metric tons

Meeting food

metric tons of maize,4000 litres of cooking oil,10 metric tonnes of beans , 5 metric tonnes of corn soy blend

households has requirement of the food improved as their insecure households immediate food ensures active requirement has been participation in the field met. No reports of due to improved food malnutrition and going security and this reduces out for casual labours the occurrence of the in search of food due same scenario in the to provision of the subsequent years same by the project Specific Objective 2: Improved crop production of 500 vulnerable households in Chikwawa Diocese by March 2010 through access to seeds/planting materials To conduct 3 sensitization 3 sensitization meetings The communities were Sensitization enabled the meetings on the component of targeting 3 communities aware of the selection local leaders and the access to seeds/planting ( Chitsa, Dolo and criteria for the seed project committee to materials Ndandika) conducted . provision component come up with the right Attended by 600 people and the local leaders beneficiaries through use ( 250 men and 350 women) and the project of the set selection committee used the criteria which include selection criteria to those with land to plant come up with a list of the seeds/planting beneficiaries to benefit materials , those with from the component energy to produce and manage the crop field To target and register 500 500 households were 500 households who Right targeting of households to benefit from targeted, verified and received the households ensures that the seeds/planting materials registered seeds/plantings have all the seeds/planting been able to plant in materials is put into right their fields and once use i.e. no selling of the harvested will seeds/planting materials contribute to an increase in crop production , food security and livelihood Distribution of 20 metric 20 metric tons of sweet Once harvested in April Procurement of the Procurement and tonnes of sweet potatoes, 1 potatoes, 1 metric tons of 2010, there will be seeds/planting materials distribution of the

of maize,4000 litres of cooking oil,10 metric tonnes of beans , 5 metric tonnes of corn soy blend

metric tons of cowpeas and 1 metric of sorghum and 2,502 kgs of OPV Maize

cowpeas and 1 metric of sorghum and 2,502 kgs OPV Maize have been distributed to 500 households

increased crop yield and increased food security through accessibility and availability of the same

need to be done before the first rainfall to enable the farmers plant with the same. With change in rainfall pattern , late planting of the seeds due to ;late procurement is resulting in crop failure due to a number of factors which include dry spells

seeds/planting materials was done in December, 2009 which was within the planting period, farmers planted, however two weeks after planting the districts were hot by the dry spell and up to now rains have not fallen to all the parts. This is very alarming as may result in another food insecurity and high vulnerability in the next season unless farmers re-plant in the dambo

To conduct training in proper agronomic practices for the distributed seeds/planting materials in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security field staff at the District level in the three impact areas

Three training sessions conducted and some of the topics covered were crop field management and post harvest management, pest and disease control. A total of 1251 (775 women and 476 men ) have been trained

The trained people are practising proper agronomic practices for the crops and this will contribute to increased yield due to proper management and increase the food security situation of the participating households

Capacity building of farmers in proper agronomic practices and other areas is important as it enhances their capacity and enables them to increase the yield through following proper agronomic practices

FOOD DISTRBUTION Table The following are the quantities of food that were distributed to the three impact areas during December 2009 and January 2010 distributions

Beneficiaries Name of FDP Men Wome n Total Chroni cally ill

Category Elderl Orpha Food y n Care Insecure person givers HH s

Commodities Distributed No. of Depen dents Maize (Kgs ) 1245 Pulses (Kgs ) 2490 1250 CSB (Kgs ) Cooking oil (Litres ) 496 500 2505 1002

Nyamithuth u Magoti Dolo

87 121 181

162 129 319

249 250 501

83 70 97

21 16 103

51 47 89

94 117 212

1049 0 557 0 1405 0

24,90

25,00 2500 50,10 5010

Total

389

610

1,00 0

250

139

187

423

3,010

100, 10,00 000 0

5000

1 998

MONITORING AND LEARNING The National Office took part in beneficiary verification and registration as well as during the second food distribution exercise as part of its monitoring, facilitation role. National Office has also conducted a field visit to the project sites to access the crop stand and the effects of the dry spell. Preliminary findings are showing that there might be looming hunger next season if framers do not engage in winter cropping and diversify their income sources. CADECOM has embarked on winter cropping and currently farmers are busy preparing for the winter cropping in April. The Diocese also took part in the monitoring of the project to ensure that the project activities are done timely and objectively. The CADECOM Secretary for Chikwawa Diocese took part in the following: Sensitization of DEC members and Parish priests concerned, supervision of warehousing activities and food distribution programme.

COLLABORATION/ NETWORKING During the programme several organizations and government rendered a lot of support for the success of the project follows: No. 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 Support Rendered Facilitated DEC meetings and provided lists of names for Government Food Aid beneficiaries. Ministry of Agriculture and Gave support during beneficiary registration, verification Food Security and seed distribution for the smooth registration process. World Vision International Provision of lists of names for Government Food Aid beneficiaries in collaboration with district Assemblies for the smooth registration process. River of Life Evangelical Provision of lists of names for Government Food Aid Project beneficiaries in collaboration with district Assemblies. Other NGOs Assisted in Food Aid Project location. Organization District Assemblies

CHALLENGES/CONSRAINTS The December 2009 to January 2010 dry spell that has affected over 121,000 households in Malawi in which 15,000 households are beneficiaries of the program in the districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, Mulanje, Balaka and Mangochi. Over 72 hectares of land have their crops wilted and if farmers do not replant and engage in winter cropping, there is danger of looming hunger in the next six months. Food insecurity situation of some beneficiary households- CADECOM with financial support from Cordaid is assisting 1,000 households with relief food ( Maize, beans, cooking oil and Likuni Phala) out the 275,000 households that are food insecure ( Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) 2009 food security update report)

KEY LESSONS LEARNT FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT Collaboration and networking avoid double targeting of households as beneficiary lists are shared among all the stakeholders in the field of relief in the District. Involvement of church authorities (parish priests) and local leaders in the project ensured timely implementation of activities as these people are respected in the community.