::: Agriculture Exports and Rural Incomes ( AERI )

Expected AERI Results

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Aggregated Results

Detailed Tasks and Results

Aggregated Results :

^lt_P^gt_As of November, 2004, all AERI’s four components became operational. Baseline surveys were carried out in all seven governorates and training and support for farmer groups has begun. Following are the major results for AERI: ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_^lt_STRONG^gt_Small Dairy and Livestock Activity^lt_backslashSTRONG^gt_^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_The ACDI backslash VOCA team is working on improving smallholder product quality and volume. ACDI backslash VOCA is providing technical assistance to Small Farmers Groups (SFGs) which includes training sessions, seminars, video presentations, direct consultations and business linkages. Training was provided in: (1) Animal herd management, (2) Animal nutrition, (3) Animal health care and (4) Dairy processing. The project also held training for SFGs on the topic of group dynamics to increase the level of participation and ownership among SFG members. ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_To date, a total of 4,806 participants attended 191 – training-days. They also conducted three veterinary campaigns in Assiutbackslash Sohag, Bani Suef and FayoumbackslashGiza in collaboration with Animal Reproduction Research institute for a total value of LE. 100,000. A total of 3,079 small holders benefited from these campaigns (of which, 1,058 are female farmers and 2,021 males) and the total number of animal vaccinated was 8,680. ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_ACDI backslash VOCA also worked on increasing efficiency in the marketing chain. The project distributes a market information bulletin created to the SMAs and small farmers groups (SFGs) in all villages. The bulletin provides detailed dairy and livestock market information to (SFGs) to enable them negotiate appropriate prices with animal traders. Recent efforts also included an overseas study tour to Mexico that exposed 17 participants to the Mexican smallholders’ organizations working on live animals marketing mechanism, dairy products processing and marketing.^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_^lt_STRONG^gt_Institutional Linkages Activities (ILA)^lt_backslashSTRONG^gt_^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_AERI through MUCIA work with research biotechnology institutions in order to strengthen Egypt’s leadership capacity in biotechnology research and its application. In its efforts to promote market relevant research, MUCIA approved six proposals for applied biotechnology research. The proposals were selected by the Biotechnology Advisory Committee_ and MUCIA team visited the first round of grants recipients and prepared a strategic plan to ensure their sustainability. ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_MUCIA also works to improve skills for agriculture graduates to better match those required by Egypt’s rapidly developing agricultural and agribusiness sectors. MUCIA’s recent efforts included: ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_UL^gt_
^lt_LI^gt_Two workshops on curriculum development and teaching methods for faculty staff from Cairo, Alexandria, Al Azhar and Assuit universities.
^lt_LI^gt_An assessment study, a seminar and two workshops on teaching programs and curriculum design for faculties of veterinary Medicine in two Universities.
^lt_LI^gt_A Leadership Study Tour to the University of Florida, Ohio State University and the University of Illinois for professors of five local universities.
^lt_LI^gt_Study tours and training aimed to improve the agricultural curriculum at Cairo, Alexandria, Al Azhar and Assuit Universities. ^lt_backslashLI^gt_^lt_backslashUL^gt_
^lt_P^gt_MUCIA also works to expand exports and increase rural income and employment through identifying potential export markets where small – scale Egyptian farmers can be competitive. MUCIA had recently conducted a business development conference focusing on two aspects: expanding horticultural crop exports to selected European markets and on the assessment of the current cold chain infrastructure in Upper Egypt. ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_Support to Trade Associations and Smallholder Groups: Through ‘Support to Trade Associations and Smallholder Groups’ Activity, AERI works to strengthen the capacity of smallholders in Upper Egypt to expand the markets for horticultural and livestock products through improved linkages with agricultural trade associations, and improved market development support by those associations.^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_AERI works to provide flexible and appropriate technical assistance and grant support to support agriculture trade associations that are of critical importance for expanding volumes of high quality agriculture products (dairy and freshbackslash processed horticulture) for export and the domestic market. Towards this end: ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_1. Fourteen grant applications were evaluated and recommendations were approved for funding the following:^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_UL^gt_
^lt_LI^gt_Two feasibility studies in HEIA (Horticulture Export Improvement Association)_
^lt_LI^gt_To consider grants for the construction of the Luxor post harvest facility and microbiological laboratory_
^lt_LI^gt_Grant to HEIA´s Cairo Air Terminal expansion facility_
^lt_LI^gt_Technical Assistance for implementing a "Total Quality Management" system for the branding of cut flowers_
^lt_LI^gt_Feasibility study for re-organizing HEIA training department_ and
^lt_LI^gt_The Food Processors Export Association^lt_backslashLI^gt_^lt_backslashUL^gt_
^lt_P^gt_2. One grant was postponed to the Egyptian Spices ^amp_ Herbs Export Development Association (ESHEDA) until they meet the cost sharing requirements. The project also works to forward grants that meets smallholder infrastructure and equipment needs. ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_During the period from October to December 2004, the project received USAID approval of the recommendations for 23 grants. Two applications were received, evaluated and were sent to USAID. The project team organized with CARE and ACDIbackslashVOCA the pre-award survey that included field trips. The trips helped to make some correctionsbackslash refinements to the applications and the budgets.^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_In addition, the project works to enhance AERI’s effectiveness which depends upon how the various activities work harmoniously to boost rural incomes. AERIbackslash Chemonics team works as a program coordinator in close collaboration with all AERI’s partners, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR), USAID, and the AERI GOE (Government of Egypt)backslash Private Sector Advisory Committee. AERIbackslash Chemonics team facilitates monthly AERI partner coordination meetings with USAID and MALR.^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_In addition, a monitoring and evaluation (M^amp_E) system was designed to establish performance indicators, baselines and targets. Priority was given to finalize baselines for rural income and horticultural production in upper Egypt and for rural employment and horticultural export nationwide. ^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_^lt_STRONG^gt_Small Horticultural Activities (EL-SHAMS)^lt_backslashSTRONG^gt_^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_Building Technological Capacity: To date, EL SHAMS trained about 6,119 small and medium growers - through 88 training events - to increase their capacity to respond to market opportunities. Training activities were implemented by EL SHAMS team, CARE, NVG, UC-Davis, ACDIbackslashVOCA, and the AERIbackslashMUCIA Technical Working Groups (TWGs). Training and workshops programs included preparing farmers for production, harvest and post-harvest handling of green beans, melons, medicinal and aromatic plants, including the drying and oil extraction of both essential and aromatic oils. Strengthening the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) extensions: ELSHAMS works to strengthen the MALR extensions. EL-SHAMS started training horticultural extension agents (HEAs) that consequently shall work to deliver technical assistance and training to their neighbors.^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_P^gt_In addition to El-SHAMS efforts, HEAs also received training from ACDIbackslashVOCA and UC-DAVIS. Examples of the training programs included:^lt_backslashP^gt_
^lt_OL^gt_
^lt_LI^gt_Intensive training in the classroom and on-farm and packing site visits at UC-Davis_
^lt_LI^gt_Attending the annual Produce Marketing Association (PMA) annual trade show in California in October 2004_
^lt_LI^gt_Three workshop implemented in Upper Egypt to strengthen the technical and communication skills of targeted HEAs_ and
^lt_LI^gt_Three HEA workshops were held by ACDIbackslashVOCA with a total of 87 participants.^lt_backslashLI^gt_^lt_backslashOL^gt_
^lt_P^gt_By the end of the first year, CARE was able to train 85 HEAs that will consequently work to deliver training and technical assistance to the farmer communities in future. ^lt_backslashP^gt_

Detailed Tasks and Results :

Alliance for Progress in Egyptian Horticulture Tasks and Results:

Task (1) :

Organizing Smallholder Production and Farm Management

Subject area: - Training
- Technical Assistance

Task(1) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Improved Yields (increase in MT of tomatoes harvested per feddan)
2 - Improved Utilization or Implementation of New Agricultural Technology and Techniques

Task (2) :

Organizing Smallholder Marketing and Sales

Subject area:

Task(2) Result(s):

Result Details :

Task (3) :

Strengthening Business/Logistics Services

Subject area:

Task(3) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - ^lt_p^gt_Improved Smallholder Access to Credit^lt_backslashp^gt_
2 - Improved Production of Hybrid Seedlings

Business Development Services Tasks and Results:

Task (1) :

Strengthen the business service portion of the value chain in the fresh and processed horticulture exports as well as in livestock and dairy production/processing by facilitating local and commercially viable solutions to constraints.

Details :

BDS works to strengthen business services to achieve the most impact and to overcome the constraints in specific sub-sectors through the transfer of know-how and the development of templates. The project stimulates the demand for business services through awareness, public education, and tools address the cash flow realities of potential customers.

Subject area: - Agribusiness

Task(1) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Strengthen the Business Service Portion of the Value Chain (September 2007)

Task (2) :

Assist beneficiaries with the technical work required to enhance financial services, which includes facilitating the commercial availability of cross-cutting services.

Details :

BDS facilitates finance for support services, improving and expanding the value chain finance through an analysis of liquidity gaps throughout chain. The project coordinates with other AERI implementers to ensure finance is accessible throughout the value chain and promotes increased SME lending by commercial banks.

Subject area: - Agribusiness

Task(2) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Facilitate Greater Access to Finance for Processors, Associations, Exporters, and Larger Producers (September 2007)

Enhanced Livelihoods from Smallholder Horticultural Activities Managed Sustainably (AERI/ELSHAMS) Tasks and Results:

Task (1) :

Foster Farmer Associations (FAs)

Details :

ELSHAMS provides assistance and training to motivated farmers in order to form and/or strengthen local Farmer Associations (FAs), which are expected to operate on a self-sustainable basis.

   Subject area: - Capacity Building
                          - Training
                          - Farmers Associations

Task(1) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Foster Farmer Associations (FAs) (August 2007)

Task (2) :

Generate a Business Climate that Attracts Private Ventures

Details :

ELSHAMS facilitates a demand-driven approach to agricultural production in Upper Egypt by seeking and promoting contract farming arrangements. The project’s goal is to support and encourage FAs and at least 80 buyers, exporters or food processing companies to negotiate and sign at least 800 contracts for market-oriented production of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as medicinal and aromatic plants. The growth in high value productive capacity of small and medium sized growers, combined with the scarcity of capital for packaging and processing facilities, transport, and export has created multiple investment opportunities.

By helping farmers to raise high quality produce for export markets, under strict EurepGAP and other internationally accepted certification standards, ELSHAMS has helped raise farmers’ incomes through the premium prices that such internationally accepted produce commands.

Finally, through farmer involvement in value-added activities at the farm level, including but not limited to distillation of essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants, better drying practices for medicinal and aromatic plants, and better harvesting and post-harvest handling procedures, farmers add value and increase their incomes from the produce that they sell to buyers, food processing companies and exporters.

   Subject area: - Capacity Building
                          - Agribusiness
                          - Export
                          - Marketing
                          - Training
                          - Agriculture
                          - Farmers Associations
                          - Horticulture
                          - Increase Rural Incomes
                          - Quality Inspection
                          - Skills Transfer
                          - Technical Assistance
                          - Technology Transfer
                          - Trade

Task(2) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Generate a Business Climate that Attracts Private Ventures (August 2007)

Task (3) :

Build Skills in Business, Marketing, and Quality Control

Details :

The objective of this task is to enable FAs to pursue information on their own and to develop their own production and marketing plans, including alliances with processors and exporters. This capability will then be vested in RAEs, cooperating trade associations, or other enterprises that can assure continuing fee-based services to FAs, local exporters, and other users.

   Subject area: - Export
                          - Marketing
                          - Capacity Building
                          - Farmers Associations

Task(3) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Assist Small and Medium Growers in Identifying and Responding to Market Opportunities (August 2007)

Task (4) :

Strengthen MALR Horticultural Extension Agents

Details :

FAs typically include several government Horticultural Extension Agents (HEAs) in their capacity as farmers. These members share information and provide links to the extension services offered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR). ELSHAMS encourages FAs to include HEAs in their training activities in order to create a resource that can organize further training and outreach in those villages.

The MALR extension will gain the capacity needed to help Upper Egyptian farmers compete agriculturally in the global economy. This will widen the impact and increase the sustainability of the horticulture program. Training covers in-country (organized by CARE and the Nile Valley Group) as well as off-shore training (organized by the UC-Davis and CARE).

   Subject area: - Training
                          - Capacity Building
                          - Information Transfer
                          - Technology Transfer
                          - Skills Transfer

Task(4) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Strengthen MALR Horticultural Extension Agents (August 2007)

Institutional Linkages Activities (AERI/ILA) Tasks and Results:

Task (1) :

Agricultural Technical Schools

Details :

ILA works with key faculty members from participating Faculties of Agriculture and the Ministry of Education to identify the most suitable instructional materials to be adapted to Egyptian curriculum.

   Subject area: - Technical Assistance
                          - Training
                          - Research
                          - Grant

Task(1) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Agricultural Technical Schools (September 2007)

Task (2) :

Capacity Building

Details :

Improve skills for agriculture graduates to better match those required by Egypt’s rapidly developing agricultural and agribusiness sectors.

Subject area: - Capacity Building
- Farmers Associations

Task(2) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Capacity Building (September 2007)

Task (3) :

Implementation of Public-Private Partnership

Details :

The key objective is to expand exports and increase rural income and employment by first identifying export markets where small–scale Egyptian farmers can be competitive. Secondly, it will be important to organize efficient supply chains for these targeted markets.

   Subject area: - Technical Assistance
                          - Export
                          - Employment
                          - Rural Income

Task(3) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Implementation of Public-Private Partnership (September 2007)

Task (4) :

Biotechnology Research

Details :

MUCIA partners with biotechnology research institutions to strengthen Egypt’s leadership capacity in biotechnology research and its application.

   Subject area: - Technical Assistance
                          - Training
                          - Export
                          - Research
                          - Grant
                          - Biotechnology

Task(4) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Biotechnology Research (September 2007)

Smallholder Dairy and Livestock Activity (AERI ACDI/VOCA) Tasks and Results:

Task (1) :

Improving Smallholder Product Quality and Volume

Subject area: - Technical Assistance

Task(1) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Improving Smallholder Dairy and Livestock Product Quality and Volume (January 2008)

Task (2) :

Increasing the Profitability of Processors and Traders

Details :

ACDI/VOCA trains smaller producers to address food safety concerns and focus on more specialized, quality products targeted at the unique tastes of a loyal customer base. The project also addresses the obstacles facing small and medium milk processors in Upper Egypt, such as the lack of milk collection and cooling facilities at the village level, and of reliable transportation. The AERI-Livestock field teams advise small dairy and livestock processors and traders on techniques to more efficiently manage their businesses, source raw product more efficiently, and expand their overall product range, resulting in higher processor and trader profits and increased demand for raw products from smallholders.

Subject area: - Capacity Building
- Training

Task(2) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Increasing the Profitability of Dairy Processors and Traders (January 2008)

Task (3) :

Strengthening Input Supply and other Agricultural Support Services

Details :

Underpaid, unmotivated, and poorly trained governmental livestock extension services have generally ignored smallholder needs; and private sector extension and veterinary services for smallholders are virtually non-existent because of smallholders' weak purchasing power and lack of understanding of the relative economic value of such services. ACDI/VOCA delivers technical assistance and business training to firms and institutions engaged in critical business support services for the industry: livestock extension, feed and veterinary supplies, veterinary services, equipment supply, and rural financial services. A better understanding of the potential benefit of these services is essential if the smallholder livestock sector is to grow rapidly and create increasing household incomes as well as a steady stream of new job opportunities.

Subject area: - Training
- Community Development

Task(3) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Strengthening Input Suppliers and other Agricultural Support Services in the Dairy and Livestock Sectors (January 2008)

Task (4) :

Increasing Efficiency in the Marketing Chain

Details :

ACDI/VOCA addresses several key systemic weaknesses in the entire Upper Egypt marketing chains for dairy and livestock products: animal handling and transportation, market infrastructure, market information systems, and business linkages. The project and its partners identify the systemic and policy constraints and find ways to address them in cooperation with USAID and GOE representatives. Accomplishing these improvements at significant scale, through a self-perpetuating fabric of more efficient and dynamic business relationships, will lead to enhanced opportunities for accelerated growth throughout the industry and the economies of the target governorates.

Subject area: - Marketing

Task(4) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Increasing Efficiency in the Marketing Chain (January 2008)

Support to Trade Associations & Smallholder Groups Tasks and Results:

Task (1) :

Grants To Small Holders Groups

Details :

This task covers a grant program that meets smallholder infrastructure and equipment needs through a flexible mechanism involving some form of cost-sharing by grant beneficiaries.

   Subject area: - Farmers Associations
                          - Employment
                          - Livestock
                          - Dairy
                          - Rural Income
                          - Technical Assistance
                          - Horticulture

Task(1) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Grants to Smallholder Groups (April 2005)

Task (2) :

AERI Program Coordination

Details :

AERI’s effectiveness depends upon how the various activities work harmoniously to boost rural incomes. The AERI/Chemonics team will assume a program coordination role in close collaboration with all AERI partners, MALR, USAID, and the AERI GOE/Private sector Advisory Committee. The main purpose of this coordination function is to serve as the Secretariat of the Advisory Committee. The AERI/Chemonics team will make certain that all activity units share successful approaches, discuss implementation plans and help resolve common problems.

   Subject area: - Agribusiness
                          - Technical Assistance
                          - Rural Income
                          - Export
                          - Farmers Associations
                          - Associations
                          - Imports
                          - Dairy
                          - Livestock
                          - Horticulture

Task(2) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - AERI Program Coordinator (April 2005)

Task (3) :

Legacy Design

Details :

This activity proposes options for ensuring the continuation of activities that support AERI’S goal and purpose and address the overall needs of Egyptian agricultural development. Funds will be provided during AERI’s first two years for short term technical assistance to assist USAID mission with the conceptualization of legacy-type activities that merit future support, implementing parameters, identification of an implementing agent, and a funding mechanism.

   Subject area: - Technical Assistance
                          - Farmers Associations
                          - Rural Income
                          - Livestock
                          - Dairy
                          - Horticulture

Task(3) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Legacy Design (April 2005)

Task (4) :

Support To Trade Associations

Details :

AERI intends to provide flexible and appropriate technical assistance and/or grant support to accommodate agriculture trade associations that are of critical importance for expanding volumes of high quality agriculture products (dairy and fresh/processed horticulture) for export and the domestic market.

   Subject area: - Agriculture
                          - Associations
                          - Dairy
                          - Farmers Associations
                          - Horticulture
                          - Increase Rural Incomes
                          - Rural Income
                          - Technical Assistance
                          - Livestock

Task(4) Result(s):

Result Details :

1 - Support to Trade Associaitons (April 2005)

Value Chain Training Program Tasks and Results:

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