JP Semi-Annual Report: PBF JP3 (MPTFO Project No: 00076967)
This semi-annual report comprises of the two quarterly reports: Q1 and Q2 for 2012 as extracted from the JP eMIS (http://ug.one.un.org/reports.hei?card=heises.d9d7833535eca053571da74e2189437e).
Programme Number & Title 	PBF JP3 / Livelihoods and Local Economic Recovery 	
Recipient UN Organization 	FAO; IOM; UNCDF; UNDP; WFP 	
Implementing Partner(s) 	Acholi Private Sector Development Company (Acholi PSDC) 
Action Contre Faim (ACF) International 
Agency for Technical Cooperation and devcelopment (ACTED) 
Association of Micro Finance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU) 
CESVI 
District Local Governments 
District Local Governments ‑ Acholi 
Enterprise Uganda 
Gulu University 
Gulu University, Dept Agron, Agribusiness & Rural Development 
IIRR - International Institute of Rurel Construction) 
Ministry of Local Government 
Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI)  	
JSC Approval Date: 	 	

Period Covered 	1st Quarter: January - March 2012 	
Funds Committed (Cumulative as of this quarter): 	3,897,648.96 USD 	% of Approved: 	77.95 	
Funds Disbursed (Cumulative as of this quarter): 	3,410,443.72 USD 	% of Approved: 	68.21 	
Forecast Final Date: 	30-Jun-2012  	Delay (Months): 	3 months  	
Output/Indicators: 	Achievements/Results: 	Challenges (incl. expected effect on programme results): 	
Output 1.1: Value addition skills training of products addressing specific district requirements undertaken for youth, women and men 	
District specific and targeted value addition skills training programmes conducted 	Mentoring, coaching and follow up sessions were conducted for 597 youth and women who were previously trained from Agago and Amuru districts. The trained youth were enriched with further knowledge of sources of market information, networking and market linkages for improvements in their day to day businesses. The follow up revealed that the skills empowered were put to use, several of them had gone ahead to start or improve their businesses. 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	Access to credit has continued to be a challenge for the youth. Even the recently approved Government fund for youth is still difficult to access by the youth.  	
	Value addition skills training in Entrepreneurship conducted for an additional 350 youth and women from Kitgum District of Acholi. The training empowered the youth and women to be able to participate in economic recovery activities, reduce unemployment rates and improve their livelihoods.  
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	There was a low turn up for women in Kitgum. The majority of the participants were male youth. 	
Output 2.1: Selected Microfinance Institutions' capacity strengthened and products developed addressing specific needs for youth and women 	
Capacity Assessment of MFIs conducted and capacity gaps identified 	Business counseling and mentoring sessions were conducted on site for 11 MFIs. These MFIs have improved through the capacity development interventions in the PBF in terms of increased savings by their clients (youth, women and others), increased Loan portfolio for some, Loan recovery has increased, more shares have been bought, and provision for bad debt levels has reduced. Furthermore, 2 new products have been developed (youth youth and school fees) and existing ones modified. 
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	Inadequate funding for market research and promotion of products, power fluctuations in areas where it exists and in some cases total lack of power supply both hydro, solar and thermal power 	
Output 2.2: Cross-border trade assessment report for Acholi sub region developed 	
Assessment report to inform policy and institutional arrangements to further support trade 	A stakeholders validation workshop conducted on 16th of March 2012. Awareness and sensitization done on the opportunities of cross border and how the Acholi sub region can benefit. This was done mainly through talk shows on local radios in the sub region 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	The current challenge is low agricultural production. The PBF is generally trying to address this challenge. 	
Output 2.3: Trade promotion strategy for Acholi sub-region in place (incorporates both cross-border and internal trade) 	
District plans and budgets reflecting trade promotion interventions 	The procurement process for a consultant to develop the trade promotion strategy has been finalized. The consultant will commence the assignment starting May 2012 
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	The late finalization of the cross border trade assessment whose findings are crucial and a prerequisite for the trade strategy 	
Output 3.1: LED  Governance functions institutionalized in 4 target districts: Amuru,  Nwoya, Lamwo and Kitgum.  	
Proportion of new productive livelihoods and economic opportunities at the community level, disaggregated by type 	The project includes a process to identify and select key institutions from the public, private and civil society organizations at the District Level to form the LED Forum. As part of the governance pillar of LED, the forums have been formed in the  4 UNJP-III Districts.The LED Forum includes the District Resource team members as well as a broad representation of the various categories of economic actors, sectors, clusters, value and supply chains which go beyond their representation through their Apex Agencies. The recommended number of LED Forum members is 53 members.The immediate objective of this support in the 1st quarter of 2012 was to institutionalize the LED Forum within the Districts to act as a catalyst, and work with local stakeholders to build up the economic capacity of the District. The led forum will facilitate to develop a local economic development process where public, business and non-governmental sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation. The districts were assisted to cluster the LED Forum as a means of making it relevant to the sector specific challenges as well as addressing issues of sustainability. A web based information sharing tool is being explored with the Uganda Investment Authority.  
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	Limited access to internet making it difficult for members of the forum to access web based information sharing networks. 	
	A Market information system has been developed in partnership with FIT Uganda and the Ministry of Local Government. The system provides prices on selected commodities and services. The system is linked to other existing Local government systems to ensure sustainability in the data collection and delivery of information. The users at the LG were trained on how to collect, upload data, analyze and dissemination of information is done up to the grassroot levels so as to benefit the farmers and other business units in the community. 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	None 	
	As part of the strategic focus to promote Local economic development through Local Government in partnership with the Private sector, funds for catalytic projects were transferred to UNJP3 districts of Lamwo and Kitgum this quarter to implement approved catalytic projects in partnership with private sector and Civil society organisations.  
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	Besides the lengthy LG procurement processes that makes the private sector partners lose patience, the LG staff have limted experience in working with the private sector on project development and financing. There are no clear implementaion guidelines for PPP 	
Output 4.1: Agricultural knowledge and skills of 230 FFS groups enhanced 	
Atleast 70% of the members of FFS applying improved agronomic practices in their field 	Additional 116 FFS were formed in Gulu (60 FFS ) and Pader (56FFS). The total number of beneficiaries during the second phase is 3,326 households with 69% of female participation. Overall, 6,760 households have so far participated in the project during the two phases out of this, 44% are youth. In general the project targetted mostly vulnerable individuals including excombatants, widows/widowers, child headed households, HIV/AIDs affected and infected and other physical disabilities. All the the 232 FFS are undergoing season long training facilitated by a tem of 33 FFS facilitators 
Percentage Achievement: 15% 	None 	
Output 4.2: Crop production levels of 6,900households increased 	
Crop production acreages increased by 20% by 2012 	Procurment of the second lot of oxen also has been initiated and delivery expected before end of quarter 
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	None 	
	Procurement of agricultural inputs for seed multiplication have been initiated and FFS in process of preparing the land for multiplication in ths next season (March-June 2012) 
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	Multiplication activities are season dependent  	
Output 4.3: Entrepreneurial skills and practices of 230 FFS enhanced 	
Atleast 50% of FFS group engaged in viable commercial enterprises by 2012 	Addenda have been finalized with IIRR and CESVI to facilitate transfer of grants to support implementation of business plans developed 
Percentage Achievement: 15% 	None 	
Output 4.4: Market access and competiveness for atleast 9 FFS networks increased 	
Volume of turnover at FFS Network level increased by 10% by 2012 	Training for 8 IBMs conducted in 8 out of 9 subcounties with the objectives of equipping participants with the knowledge and skills in collecting, analysing and disseminating Agricultural Market Information and assist the participants to identify and analyse businesses opportunities associated with being an Information Board Manager (IBM), and how these businesses can be supported to ensure sustainability of the market information service. The topics covered during the 2-day training workshop include market information problem analysis; Agrinet market information service model; mapping of business opportunities; contract management and buiness clinics. In summary 8 out of the 9 market information boards have been installed and market information updated on regular basis 
Percentage Achievement: 20% 	None 	
Output 5.0: Revolving fund to support investment in atleast 40% groups created and operational 	
40% of FFS groups accessing credit from locally managed revolving fund by 2012 	One representative of each of the 116 FFS have been trained in VSLA methodology and conflict resolutions. All 116 FFS groups are now saving using the VSLA kits provided to them. In total UGX 47,680,000 have been mobilized by 60 FFS groups in Gulu under VLSA out of which 14,297,500 has been borrowed as loan. 
Percentage Achievement: 20% 	None 	
Output 6.1: 5,700 smallholder farmer households organisational capacity in cassava value addition developed and nurtured 	
Atleast 10 targeted trainings undertaken on quality assurance/profitability analysis 	2 groups received training onproduction of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) and Gari production and 1 other group got a refresher training on the same    
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	Identification of cassava based product specialist to conduct training on baking products from HQCF. 	
Atleast 500 MT of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) is produced and sold to identified end markets by June 2012 	2.4 mtn of high quality cassava flour produced in Gulu 
Percentage Achievement: 0% 	1.Some of the machines were faulty and were under repair 2. inadequate processing materials and tools eg tarpaulins, washing containers.   	
Output 6.2: Capacity of 8,666 smallholder farmers in market analysis, access and linkage established, developed and nurtured 	
Atleast 4 industry based market trial tests undertaken for High Quality cassava Flour (HQCF) for identified cassava products in Acholi region 	The MOU between WGP and Gulu University was concluded and preparation for the market survey was started. its upon the survey that the market trials shall be done.  
Percentage Achievement: 30% 	delayed disbursement of funds 	
Atleast 50 training sessions for 8,666 smallholder farmers undertaken in Farming as a Business (FaaB) of maize, beans and cassava. 	12 training sessions were conducted in Pader and Gulu. the trainings focused on procurement, business management and Warehouse receipt system. It benefited 405 farmers.  
Percentage Achievement: 24% 	None 	
Output 7.1: Female-headed, IDP, returnee, and ex-combatants households assisted with their reintegration/integration 	
Percentage of female-headed households referred to jobs and remaining employed in the Acholi sub-region for more than three months 	745 FHH employed for more than three months 
Percentage Achievement: 14% 	Some FHH thought IOM will give them money for buying feeds for their animal projects recieved with support from IOM last year. 	
Number and type of land-related documentation claimed by women (and their dependents) and  processed through relevant Ugandan authorities. 	All 46 peer support groups have renewed written agreements to use the land for agricultural purpose in 2012. 
Percentage Achievement: 34% 	The renewed land agreement for agricultural purpose is smaller since the peer support groups plans to cultivate more land than last year. However this is being solved: in 4 peer support groups the clients have bought land for their cultivation this year and in other peer support groups, the PSGs have been encouraged to acquire additional land through written agreements. The clan members are promising to offer more land to the peer support groups this year. 	
Number of female-headed households with special needs that receive case management assistance. 	222 clients with special health needs(particularly these are on HIV/AIDS health issues) recieved assistance from third party service providers. 
Percentage Achievement: 0% 	Increased number of FHH with special health needs. 	
Achievement Percentage for this Quarter:  14.9%	  	
Achievement Percentage for previous Quarters:  125.9%	  	
Cumulative Achievement Percentage:  140.8%	  	

Period Covered 	2nd Quarter: April - June 2012 	
Funds Committed (Cumulative as of this quarter): 	4,176,474.41 USD 	% of Approved: 	83.53 	
Funds Disbursed (Cumulative as of this quarter): 	3,814,278.38 USD 	% of Approved: 	76.29 	
Forecast Final Date: 	  	Delay (Months): 	  	
Output/Indicators: 	Achievements/Results: 	Challenges (incl. expected effect on programme results): 	
Output 1.1: Value addition skills training of products addressing specific district requirements undertaken for youth, women and men 	
District specific and targeted value addition skills training programmes conducted 	Skills of 400 youth and women groups from Kitgum and Lamwo districts of Acholi were enhanced through business and entrepreneurship skills trainings, mentoring and coaching. This has increased their participation in economic recovery activities, some have improved their small business and others started up new income generating activities 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	Access to credit continues to pose a challenge to youth. The recently announced youth fund by the Government is still not accessible to youth, it has very stringent procedures for one to access the fund. 	
Output 2.1: Selected Microfinance Institutions' capacity strengthened and products developed addressing specific needs for youth and women 	
Capacity Assessment of MFIs conducted and capacity gaps identified 	Capacity of 15 MFIs enhanced through marketing financial services and effective customer services as competitive strategies skills training. As result, some MFIs have modified their existing products and introduced new ones like salary loan, fixed time contract deposit 
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	Demand for more workshops and capacity building on marketing and customer relations 	
Output 2.2: Cross-border trade assessment report for Acholi sub region developed 	
Assessment report to inform policy and institutional arrangements to further support trade 	Final report ready for printing.  
Percentage Achievement: 0% 	Delayed clearance of the report. Printing will be done in the last quarter of the programme (July - Spetember 2012) 	
Output 2.3: Trade promotion strategy for Acholi sub-region in place (incorporates both cross-border and internal trade) 	
District plans and budgets reflecting trade promotion interventions 	Progress has been made in the formulation of the trade strategy: Following the engagement of the consultant on 21st May 2012, an inception was produced, a draft0 of the strategy has been produced. 
Percentage Achievement: 25% 	The consultations with the authorities from all the districts of Acholi has taken longer longer than expected. 	
Output 3.1: LED  Governance functions institutionalized in 4 target districts: Amuru,  Nwoya, Lamwo and Kitgum.  	
Proportion of new productive livelihoods and economic opportunities at the community level, disaggregated by type 	This reporting quarter funds were disbursed to Nwoya District for implementation of LED catalytic projects focusing on honey processing and an outgrower scheme to support the fruit processing project. All farm support computerised system was designed to help in registration and identification of farmers. This to support outgrower schemes for fruit processing in Nwoya and sesame processing in Kitgum 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	Lack of ICT officers at the districts and constant power  	
Output 4.1: Agricultural knowledge and skills of 230 FFS groups enhanced 	
Atleast 70% of the members of FFS applying improved agronomic practices in their field 	Season long learning activities continued for 232 FFS groups during the first season 2012. The learning activities were focussed mostly on vegetables due to the challenges faced in production at community levels especially with pests and disease situation. 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	None 	
Output 4.2: Crop production levels of 6,900households increased 	
Crop production acreages increased by 20% by 2012 	Additional 232 oxen distributed to 116 FFS groups established during the second phase  
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	None 	
Output 6.1: 5,700 smallholder farmer households organisational capacity in cassava value addition developed and nurtured 	
Atleast 10 targeted trainings undertaken on quality assurance/profitability analysis 	2 farmer groups have been trained on production of cassava-based bakery products.  And atleast 4 baking ovens are being procured.  
Percentage Achievement: 5% 	the baking oven supplier gets them from Kenya and thus it takes a long time to get to site. 	
	2 cassava farming communities were a TOT training on Village Savings and Loans Association.   
Percentage Achievement: 2% 	the dissemination of the information to the lower members may pose a challenge as members are busy in the gardening operation during the quarter.  	
Atleast 4 farmer group organisation learning and experience sharing through study tours undertaken 	Agreement between Gulu University and World Food Programme regarding implementation of the  Cassava Value Addition Project was completed 
Percentage Achievement: 50% 	The partner is too slow in accounting monies disbursed to them.  Although the first draft is ready the  the FAAB, Business cycle model training and the exchange visit have not been done.  	
Atleast 500 MT of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) is produced and sold to identified end markets by June 2012 	The First Draft of the english and a luo translated version HQCF and Gari production booklet   
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	None 	
	Cassava processing materials were procured and distributed to 8 cassava farming community in Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya.  they including Ganny bags (1000 pcs), water tanks (8), tarpaulins (40) and construction of drying racks and purchase of pan for Gari making  
Percentage Achievement: 20% 	It is quite difficult to process the cassava without these material/tools 	
	5.9 mtns of cassava flour were processed in agago district  
Percentage Achievement: 1% 	the low production capacity of the grating machine and the rainy season has hampered the production of the HQCF.   	
Output 6.2: Capacity of 8,666 smallholder farmers in market analysis, access and linkage established, developed and nurtured 	
Atleast 8,666 smallholder farmers have access and deposit their produce in coonstructed satellite collection stores by end of June 2012 	A total of 8750 farmers deposited and sold  510.61 mtn of assorted produce at the Satellite Collection Points in the region. Farmers fetched UGX 508.87M out the sale of the commodities. The commodities include maize, beans, sunflower, rice, millet, sorghum, ground nuts, simsim and soya beans.  
Percentage Achievement: 3% 	Since the closure of Kitgum and Pader, it is very difficult to collect data those areas. 	
Atleast 4 industry based market trial tests undertaken for High Quality cassava Flour (HQCF) for identified cassava products in Acholi region 	Gulu University contracted bakery specialist to train farmers in 5 cassava-based bakery products with cassava composition  ranging from 40 -100%. these include bans,half cakes, bagia, pancakes and queen cakes. this session included cost and profit calculations.   
Percentage Achievement: 40% 	the learners have varied levels of knowledge/information uptake. 	
A private business services development consultant identified, selected and commissioned to undertake business development services for targeted farmers by December 2011 	Cassava Market survey was conducted and the report drafted 
Percentage Achievement: 10% 	delay in the data collection. 	
Output 7.1: Female-headed, IDP, returnee, and ex-combatants households assisted with their reintegration/integration 	
Number of female-headed households with special needs that receive case management assistance. 	257 clients with special health needs recieved assistance from third party service providers 
Percentage Achievement: 0% 	Clients reported having difficulties in accessing and getting health assistant from the nearest health centres, because of the long distance to the centers; unwillingness of some clients to show up for VCT even after requesting for the services for fear of disclosing the HIV status. NB; being a referal service, there is no baseline data. 	
Percentage of female-headed households referred to jobs and remaining employed in the Acholi sub-region for more than three months 	672 FHH employed for more than three months. Reactivated FHHs participation. 
Percentage Achievement: 82% 	Low capacity of the FHHs to cope up due to the existence of few linkages for referals.The local governement especially the Subcounty and Parish level have less capacity to monitor the implementation of the project without direct facilitation from IOM. As a result, IOM has engaged leaders into Joint Field Monitoring as a way of exposing the groups potentials for future direct government support. 	
Number and type of land-related documentation claimed by women (and their dependents) and  processed through relevant Ugandan authorities. 	All the 42 Peer support groups have renewed written agreements and 8 new Peer Support Groups have secured written agreements to use the land for both crop and animal management purpose in 2012. Both the Clan members and the Sub County leaders were very much helpful in assisting the FHHs renew and secure additional land documentations. 
Percentage Achievement: 34% 	Due to the high land rental fee attributed to the use of land, some FHHs could not afford to renew their land lease agreement Documentation especially in Peri-urban centres. FHHs in Peri Urban settings have been encouraged to engage more on small scale bussiness and market gardening which do not require a lot of land. IOM organized a Joint Monitoring exercise with Local Government where FHHs presented their challenge, the issue is agreed at to be discussed in the next Council meetings. IOM also organized exchange visits between the FHHs where they learnt from each other on how to address the land access challenge. 	
Achievement Percentage for this Quarter:  20.4%	  	
Achievement Percentage for previous Quarters:  121.9%	  	
Cumulative Achievement Percentage:  142.4%	  	

[Report generated by Administrator as of Wed 29-Aug-2012 03:40 PM]