From April to November 2010, an evaluation team composed of members from AgrEvalue, CICAM and ARCADE evaluated Oxfam Novib’s Programme in Burundi from 2005 to 2009. First, we reconstructed the intervention logic with staff of Oxfam Novib in the Netherlands, after which we developed an evaluation matrix with questions and information sources. This was discussed during a start up workshop with the partner organisations in Burundi. Then we held focus group discussions and household interviews with beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. We discussed the impact and the strategy of the programme with the partner organisations, but also with other organisations and government working for the same objectives. Finally we discussed the preliminary results, drew conclusions, and made recommendations in a 3-day restitution works shop.
(Read more in the English 4-page summary, the French 4-page summary, or the French full report plus Annexes)

Between March and May 2010, AgrEvalue evaluated the project “Unlocking the potential: Securing added value for one million African smallholder farmers”, implemented by Twin Trading and funded by Comic Relief in the UK. This project supported 12 Fair Trade farmer organisations in Africa with setting up quality management systems to increase the sustainability of producer organisations so that they are able to generate benefits for producers and their communities. Evaluation questions were to assess the project approach, to assess the project achievements, and to formulate lessons learnt and recommendations. Four producer organisations were visited in Malawi and Uganda.

(read about an example in Malawi)
(read about an example in Uganda)

Advice on monitoring, evaluation and baseline study in Pakistan
In March 2010, AgrEvalue assisted Oxfam-Novib with the M&E plan and the outline for a baseline study for the EU-funded Food Security Programme in Pakistan. During the national project inception workshop in Multan, 4-7 March 2010, staff of the five partner organisations (BEEJ, Doaba, HELP, LHDP and SAFWCO), Oxfam-Novib Pakistan, Oxfam Novib Netherlands, assisted by AgrEvalue as M&E advisor, jointly worked on an M&E plan (read more) and an outline for a baseline study (read more).

The National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi uses a HACCP approach to control aflatoxin in peanuts. Before, the peanut farmers in Mchinji used to wet the groundnuts to facilitate shelling, but also to increase the weight and get more paid. Masfa farmers improved peanut drying methods, using a method jointly promoted by Nasfam and ICRISAT.

The aflatoxin analyses by Nasfam show a trend of decreasing aflatoxin levels since 2009. Since February 2009, all sampled batches had aflatoxin levels below 2 ppb: good for export to the EU.

Twin's Quality Management Project supported the Fair Trade Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative in Uganda. The good quality and traceability has allowed Gumutindo to sell AAA coffee single origin (best quality) from two of its Primary Societies. This is possible since 2009 because of improved traceability. Farmers are paid a ‘quality premium’ for this. There are more buyers interested in Gumutindo coffee. According to EZA Austria, one of the Fairtrade buyers of Gumutindo coffee, Gumutindo manages to maintain a very high coffee quality while export volume is growing.