By Geoffrey Alengo | Consultant
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PMA https://www.prospermamaafrica.org/ was established in 2017 as a nonprofit organization with offices both in Cambridge, USA and Kampala, Uganda with the cardinal aim of empowering African rural communities to lead their own development out of poverty. PMA came up with a “Village Resilient Model” & decided to pilot test it in Butebele Village, Hoima District for one year between Feb 2020 to Feb 2021. The aim was to test the model viability, in order to determine if it is Relevant, Effective, Efficient, Impactful & Sustainable enough to be replicated on a large scale to drive away Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition in the communities in Uganda and Africa. The strategy was to provide Technology Access, Community Farming, Input & Market focus, all cushioned by mind set training and appropriate extension service. The evaluation methodology used was a cross sectional design executed using a-hybrid of participatory and conventional approaches to research. All key stakeholders including beneficiaries, duty bearers-PMA were involved while the consultant provided technical guidance. Both Qualitative and Quantitative Methods and associated data collection tools were used for purpose of triangulation to crosscheck the validity and reliability of the finding(s). Data was collected from both Primary and Secondary sources through Document Review, Focus Group Discussion & On-Site Verification” Key Informant consultation Based on facts, statistical and non-statistical evidence available, the pilot project was found to be relevant, viable for large scaling, effective, efficient, & sustainable. It was concluded that it could be socially and financially profitable if the identified challenges, which include late onset of activities, inadequate training, inadequate monitoring and evaluation function, limited storage, high cost of tractor hire are addressed. Generally, based on the findings and conclusion observed, the consultant therefore, recommended that the project was fit for replication on a larger scale, while taking into consideration specific recommendations and lesson learnt amongst others: Timely delivery of the required training and input, which would ensure timely land preparation and planting as per seasonal needs. If that is done, it would mitigate the kind of losses observed in (cap 6.1.4.1) Identify/ negotiate for affordable access to tractor services preferably between USD 16.3 to USD 24.5 per acre which is still a profitable venture on both the farmers and tractor provider. Otherwise, the current tractor hire charge of USD 35.4per acre was exploitative and eats away much of the farmers’ profit. Provide linkage to a sustainable market in time to minimize farmers selling their produce at a giveaway price, a scenario observed in (cap 6.8.1). This could be done through negotiating contracted farming with commercial grain dealers or bulking for value addition & exported directly to regional/global markets. Provide access to safe and affordable stores which can add value for instance, sort, dry and safely prolong the produce shelf life to wait for better market price period. This initiative would mitigate the post-harvest loss of 37% observed. It could be done through installation of silos at strategic position easily accessible to the farmers. Adequately train farmers, on poultry management specific to the kind of breeds at hand, they need to be advised on poultry husbandry including housing, feeding, medication, prey management amongst others. If that is done it would mitigate the unnecessary losses/death of 70% observed in (Cap 6.5 above) PMA management should urgently put in place a functional M&E System, with Capacity to support program Planning, Strategy, Monitoring & Evaluation to provide timely information necessary for decision making on activities, milestones, achievements and general progress. This would help to keep the project on track, enhance accountability, extract lessons learned to improve on future program design.
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