DARFUR - USAID AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001167 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI UN SU SUBJECT: DARFUR - USAID AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS KHARTOUM 00001167 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary: Current USAID emergency agriculture interventions in Darfur have successfully improved the livelihoods and food security of small farming and agro-pastoralist households in many rural areas. However, ongoing conflict and insecurity make sustained agriculture and livestock interventions unfeasible. Barring a dramatic improvement in the security environment, the need for emergency agricultural inputs is not likely to decrease in the near future. As a result, programs that increase access to water, seeds, and farming tools, in addition to animal vaccination campaigns, are recommended to support rural communities throughout Darfur. End summary. -------------- CURRENT PROGRAMS -------------- ¶2. From June 4 to 14, a USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) Agriculture and Food Security Advisor traveled to Nyala, El Geneina, and El Fasher to meet with current partners, assess the status of ongoing agricultural interventions, and provide strategic input regarding agriculture and livestock interventions for Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008. ¶3. Current USAID agriculture programs in the region provide seeds and tools to small farming and agro-pastoralist households through direct distributions or through community seed fairs. Direct distributions bring in seeds from outside an area to address a lack of seed availability, whereas seed fairs boost access to locally available seed by providing potential buyers with vouchers for the seeds. ¶4. USAID-funded seed fairs have been particularly successful in South Darfur this planting season, owing to the collaboration of several organizations. Three USAID partners hired a technical consultant with strong expertise in preparing and hosting seed fairs. Together the relief agencies held seven seed fairs targeting 2,750 households across South Darfur. In addition to facilitating access to seeds and tools for local farmers, by sourcing seeds locally the fairs also inject income into rural economies and help re-establish traditional market activities. ¶5. Direct seed distributions were delayed following the late arrival of some seeds shipments by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. However, the seeds arrived in mid-June, in time for planting before the start of the rainy season. Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) officials agreed that seed availability is unlikely to be a serious problem for most farmers this year. Based on the strong availability of seeds this season, the most important determinants of productivity are likely to be the distribution and duration of rains, and security at time of harvest. -------------- CHALLENGES AND ONGOING NEEDS -------------- ¶6. Identifying target beneficiaries for agriculture programs is challenging, particularly since insecurity and limited access restrict monitoring efforts in many of the rural areas receiving assistance. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) rely on community leaders and committees to identify program recipients, allowing local political dynamics and corruption to negatively affect targeting. Where possible, NGO staff are involved in targeting, but without improved access this issue is likely to persist. ¶7. Animal vaccinations and corresponding reliable cold-chain storage and transportation networks are needed, particularly in North Darfur. Access to water remains a critical need in all regions. MOA staff also noted the need for emergency interventions to take into account environmental impacts of various approaches. For example, most seeds provided through direct distributions are intended for farming in sandy soil, which is less productive and less environmentally sound than clay soil. MOA officials also noted that population displacement and related shelter programs contribute to deforestation and use local resources at a rapid rate. A USAID/OFDA agriculture advisor notes that farmers do not currently have the tools or knowledge to cultivate in clay soil. ¶8. Many villages across Darfur may be ready for more development-oriented agriculture programs, but the ongoing conflict and resulting insecurity preclude such programs. Providing inputs beyond seeds and tools is a difficult venture for NGOs, who face KHARTOUM 00001167 002.2 OF 002 targeted attacks and carjackings at an increasing rate. In addition, more substantial programs may make villages more vulnerable to attacks. Many NGOs are discussing establishing seed banks, but these would likely be an even greater target than fields at harvest time. Agricultural training programs are difficult to provide with any regularity, with certain areas off-limits to NGO staff and others dangerous to government MOA staff. -------------- RECOMMENDATIONS -------------- ¶9. Security permitting, provision of agricultural inputs should continue, as needs are likely to persist in many regions. A harvest compromised by insecurity or lack of sufficient rain, or the arrival of returnees without assets, would lead to continued need for seed and tool inputs. ¶10. Interventions to address access to agriculture inputs, including cash-for-work, and seed fair or voucher programs, may be more suitable than interventions that address availability, such as direct distributions. Despite security problems confronting NGO staff and vehicles, many rural villages are fairly secure, with farmers moving regularly to and from markets. Farmers stated a preference to trade seeds locally in order to obtain the desired varieties, indicating that access is more of an issue than availability in many areas. ¶11. Collaboration should be encouraged among NGOs engaged in agriculture programs, particularly given the potential for interventions in this sector to harm the environment and lead to conflict between various stakeholders. The level of agriculture and livestock expertise and on-the-ground experience varies greatly among NGOs in Darfur. The NGO consortium in South Darfur can serve as a positive example for additional cooperation to benefit program recipients. ¶12. Ongoing monitoring of the impacts of seed distributions on food security in the region would be instrumental in planning for future programming. It will be particularly important to follow up on the seed varieties planted by farmers, availability of preferred varieties in local markets, and harvest success related to both rainfall and security. ¶13. Livestock projects should focus mainly on vaccinations, which are a standard good practice in any emergency situation. At this time, support for community animal health workers (CAHWs) is not sustainable due to insecurity. While CAHWs may be trained and used for vaccination campaigns, it would be more time- and cost-efficient to delay these programs until the region achieves greater stability. FERNANDEZ