His Excellency Dr. Tulibano S. Munshingi, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso, visits USAID C4CP Activities at UGCPA/BM

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "His Excellency Dr. Tulibano S. Munshingi, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso, visits USAID C4CP Activities at UGCPA/BM"

Joshua Montgomery
5 years ago
Views:

USAID C4CP News Flash Vol. 09 April 25, 2016 His Excellency Dr. Tulibano S. Munshingi, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso, visits USAID C4CP Activities at UGCPA/BM March 29, 2016, DEDOUGOU, USAID s C4CP project was honored to welcome His Excellency Dr.

, Ambassador of the United States in Burkina Faso for a site visit of USAID C4CP s implementing partner s achievements, the Union des Groupements pour la

During the 2015/2016 campaign, UGCPA/BM conducted sessions on the dissemination of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and post-harvest technology (PR) with its

Shawn Wozniak, Agriculture Officer in the office of USAID/Burkina Faso in collaboration with the USAID C4CP and UGCPA project teams.

The visit was organized in three stages over two sites respectively located in the east and west of Dédougou city: (i) Interview with the Group Benkadi Lomé having

1 USAID C4CP News Flash Vol. 09 April 25, 2016 His Excellency Dr. Tulibano S. Munshingi, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso, visits USAID C4CP Activities at UGCPA/BM March 29, 2016, DEDOUGOU, USAID s C4CP project was honored to welcome His Excellency Dr. Tulinabo Munshingi S., Ambassador of the United States in Burkina Faso for a site visit of USAID C4CP s implementing partner s achievements, the Union des Groupements pour la Commercialisation des Produits Agricoles de la Boucle du Mouhoun (UGCPA/BM). During the 2015/2016 campaign, UGCPA/BM conducted sessions on the dissemination of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and post-harvest technology (PR) with its members. Visit preparation was coordinated by Mr. Shawn Wozniak, Agriculture Officer in the office of USAID/Burkina Faso in collaboration with the USAID C4CP and UGCPA project teams. His Excellency the Ambassador was accompanied by Brenda Soya, Director of Public Affairs and several other officials of the Embassy. The visit was organized in three stages over two sites respectively located in the east and west of Dédougou city: (i) Interview with the Group Benkadi Lomé having received training around the His Excellency, Dr. S. Tulinabo Mushingi, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso met on arrival at the farm site by Ms. Assétou Koutou Kafando, Chair of Women's Group "Benkadi Lomé" (left) and by USAID s C4CP project team (right) consisting of Dr. Christiana Georges, Gender Specialist (foreground), on her right Dr. Youl Sansan, project Coordinator and ISFM Specialist and Mr. Honoré Moyenga, National Coordinator, UGCPA Chair Woman and facilitator (in the background). 1

Interview with Benkadi Lomé Women s Group The visit began at 4 pm with meeting with the Group at the residence of Mrs.

2 demonstration trial (DT) with the support of the project; (Ii) Guided tour on Mrs. Kafando/Koutou Assétou s farm, who manages a DT; and (iii) Guided tour of UGCPA/BM agricultural products storage facilities. Interview with Benkadi Lomé Women s Group The visit began at 4 pm with meeting with the Group at the residence of Mrs. Assétou Koutou Kafando, Chairwoman of the "Benkadi Lomé" Group and manager of a DT. Highlights of the 40-minute interview are: Introduction of the heads of UGCPA/BM and USAID C4CP project teams by the National Coordinator; Welcome note from the President of the UGCPA/BM, expressing the joy of the regional producers umbrella to welcome the Ambassador of USA in Burkina Faso; A program of the visit was then presented by the UGCPA moderator who conducted a brief introduction of the Benkadi Women's Group comprised of fifty members and initially created for the production and marketing of cowpea and bissap (Hibiscus); Moderators then requested the Ambassador to conduct discussions with the Group. Taking the lead, the Ambassador then introduced the entire delegation of a dozen people before proceeding with interviews of the Benkadi Group His Excellency addressing members of the Benkadi Lome Groupement to his left Mr. Shawn Wozniak, Agriculture Officer USAID- Burkina and Brenda Soya, Director of Public Affairs Mr. Honoré Moyenga pronouncing the word introduction at the start of the interview Based on examples from his own country, the Ambassador began by recalling the need for good governance and democracy, and the importance of currently focusing development efforts of the agricultural value chain with particular attention on the processing and marketing links. In this regard the President of the Group reassured the audience that members of her group are in this dynamic. Incidentally, they selected agricultural processing products as exhibited during the Bobo-Dioulasso National Culture Week (March 26 to April 2); The women were first asked how their group was selected to receive the support of the project. Providing an answer to his case, the Chairwoman said that it was her skills that allowed her to be chosen by UGCPA to lead the test field demonstrations for GAP dissemination with the support of the project. The group on the other hand put forward a UGCPA s choice; The women were then asked what support the project has brought them. The Chairwoman replied that the project s support had consisted of strengthening women's knowledge for production improvement. They received training in agricultural production techniques as well as in product preservation and storage. As someone in charge of DT, she has received facilitation for input access, crop protection product treatment and personal protective equipment for protection product treatments and for drying products. The occasion was used as an opportunity for the women to acquire knowledge on registered products and how to address problems related to environmental degradation. Other women in the group who spoke said that they had received various trainings on agricultural production techniques; 2

What benefits did they gain? Relating her experience, the DT promoter said she obtained a significant increase in production compared to other women in her group.

With the results and knowledge gained, she plans to increase her production area in the coming campaign; Women members of the Benkadi Group also expressed their challenges they are confronted to,

Tulinabo Mushingi, US Ambassador to Burkina listening to the Benkadi Lomé women s group: Top right, the Chairwoman answering the Ambassador s questions and at the bottom right, the Group Secretary (

3 What benefits did they gain? Relating her experience, the DT promoter said she obtained a significant increase in production compared to other women in her group. Her production also allowed her to store additional feed resources for feeding her cattle. With the results and knowledge gained, she plans to increase her production area in the coming campaign; Women members of the Benkadi Group also expressed their challenges they are confronted to, among others, access to production land, to equipment and to inputs, and their husbands monopoly on productive resources; His Excellency Dr. S. Tulinabo Mushingi, US Ambassador to Burkina listening to the Benkadi Lomé women s group: Top right, the Chairwoman answering the Ambassador s questions and at the bottom right, the Group Secretary ( standing) asking questions to His Excellency. In order to further explain the issues identified by the women present, the UGCPA Chairwoman reopened the issue of input supply, noting that despite the efforts of the umbrella organization to solve this constraint, there was a shortage on resources for meeting members' needs. UGCPA had also been involved in the struggle to improve land access, but the constraint were still valid. With U.S. funded COMPACQ-1 actions had been undertaken in this direction, but stopped at the end of the program ; The Ambassador readdressed the constraints expressed by the women, asking them to further clarify the need in order to allow targeting the right players to approach for addressing them. Is it the government? Is the project? Local leaders? etc. ; The Group members then insisted on access to land and credit. Participants noted that meeting these needs would therefore require developing advocacy actions; The women also strongly recommended that USAID s C4CP project extends the form of support received by the Chairwoman to other group members; 3

Members of the Benkadi Lomé Group also paid tribute to UGCPA for its constant support in resource mobilization for the development of activities and expressed their hope that technical and financial

Their satisfaction with their umbrella organization means that they are convinced that any capacity strengthening of UGCPA will positively impact on them; To his question about what the USAID C4CP

It was however indicated that a focus strategy during project s intervention is to develop field test demonstrations addressing the various constraints mentioned by the women.

4 Members of the Benkadi Lomé Group also paid tribute to UGCPA for its constant support in resource mobilization for the development of activities and expressed their hope that technical and financial partners build UGCPA s capacity. Their satisfaction with their umbrella organization means that they are convinced that any capacity strengthening of UGCPA will positively impact on them; To his question about what the USAID C4CP project could do to meet the needs expressed by the women, the Ambassador was told that the requests would be channeled to the management of the project. It was however indicated that a focus strategy during project s intervention is to develop field test demonstrations addressing the various constraints mentioned by the women. Tools developed during the first production run need to be tested and confirmed for the purpose of disseminating the results of these experiments at national and regional levels. Guided tour at Mrs Kafando/Koutou Assétou s farm At the end of the interview, the promoter of the field demonstrations showcased her farm during a 30-minute presentation to the Ambassador and the delegation. Her farm production units include: Here, His Excellency examines samples of some of the farm products (corn, cowpea, rice, groundnuts, etc.) A 40-bag corn and cowpea storage facility. At the entrance of the warehouse, production samples (corn, cowpea, rice, sunflower) were showcased; An animal feed warehouse storing crop residues from her plots and from mown hay; A biogas system for preparing compost (organic fertilizer). Inside the animal feed storage facility At each unit, relevant questions were asked by the Ambassador for a better understanding of the activity developed. At the end of the farm tour, the Ambassador and the women took a group picture for posterity. An on-site interview of the project s National Coordinator was conducted by the Embassy s communicators on the project purpose, duration and main achievements. Group photo with his Excellency and the UGCPA chairman (center) 4

Guided tour at UGCPA/BM s agricultural products storage facilities A visit of UGCPA s storage facilities was held at the umbrella organization s warehouse located just outside the town, Nouna Road.

UGCPA s Chairman provided comments during the visit that went on as follows: The good governance and democratic culture of the organization's management since its inception were mentioned; and so was

grain production is observed; also highlighted were the good results obtained through the conduct of its activities with key partners including USAID C4CP, etc.

functioning of the organization and the realizations achieved through the support of USAID C4CP Following the presentation, the Ambassador requested the USAID C4CP Gender Specialist to further

5 Guided tour at UGCPA/BM s agricultural products storage facilities A visit of UGCPA s storage facilities was held at the umbrella organization s warehouse located just outside the town, Nouna Road. The 30-minute visit was set on a background of Balafon music and accompanied by dance steps upon the delegation s arrival and departure. UGCPA s Chairman provided comments during the visit that went on as follows: The good governance and democratic culture of the organization's management since its inception were mentioned; and so was its specificity at national level in terms of marketing agricultural products which led to the Government suggesting that similar organizations are established in other localities were a surplus in grain production is observed; also highlighted were the good results obtained through the conduct of its activities with key partners including USAID C4CP, etc. ; Comments on the USAID C4CP partnership, its objectives, obtained results and UGCPA s perspectives and challenges in continuing the know-how acquired from the project; UGCPA Chairman explaining the functioning of the organization and the realizations achieved through the support of USAID C4CP Following the presentation, the Ambassador requested the USAID C4CP Gender Specialist to further explain the inclusion of gender specifics in the project implementation process as referred to in UGCPA results. In her response, the Gender Specialist referred to demonstration plots as a tool for women. Of the 22 demonstration plots established in the region, six are spread from the west to the east of the country s cotton zone. These were set up in an effort to address various constraints as expressed during conversations with the women, in order to serve as outreach and advocacy tools to disseminate in the region; Cowpea and corn storage facilities were then visited, and UGCPA s perspectives explanations on how they work, with the sole implication of union members due to the importance of mastering Good Production and Conservation Practices, provided by partners such as USAID C4CP project; His Excellency and the Chairman inspecting a cowpea storage facility. The goods in stock here have already been sold to WFP. 5

Exchanges held at the winnowing area. A group of women busy winnowing some corn.

needs could be satisfied. He said he was available to help provide an answer if these needs become clearer.

6 Exchanges held at the winnowing area. A group of women busy winnowing some corn. The tour ended at the site of the UGCPA warehouse, with an interview of the Ambassador in the presence of the UGCPA Chairman and the DT farmer. During the interview, the Ambassador highlighted the need to find ways to ensure project activities sustainability and expansion after He acknowledged that the women clearly expressed needs requiring support even though he did not distinctly identify how these needs could be satisfied. He said he was available to help provide an answer if these needs become clearer. He also suggested that UGCPA and USAID C4CP help on this. His Excellency giving a press interview at the end of the visit Photo with a Dédougou dance group at the end of the visit Other areas of interest At the end of the visit, the Project Coordinator and IFDC-Burkina (acting) country representative accompanied by the Consultant and National Coordinator and the officer in charge of agriculture at the USAID-Burkina office, 6

7 had the opportunity to hold discussions with His Excellency Dr. Tulinabo during a breakfast meeting on the morning of March 30. The exchanges conducted in a very relaxed atmosphere enabled His Excellency to extensively listen to the Project Coordinator on subjects such as Bt (genetically modified) cotton, the needs expressed by women of the Benkadi Lomé group, the experience of women entrepreneurs, etc. This provided an opportunity to return to the regional approach of the project. The project coordinator also expressed the wish that upon the CoP s return from leave an invitation for His Excellency to visit the IFDC offices in Burkina Faso is extended. Photo Ibrahim Noumbié SOURABIE His Excellency Dr. Tulinabo S. Munshingi, U.S. Ambassador in Burkina Faso (far right) during a discussion with Mr. Honoré Moyenga (in eyeglasses), USAID C4CP National Coordinator; Shawn Wozniak, in charge of agriculture at the USAID Burkina Faso office and Dr. Youl Sansan (in a jacket), USAID C4CP project coordinator and IFDC-Burkina Faso country representative on the morning of March 30, Lessons Learned The presentation of project activities to the Ambassador who appreciated the results achieved in the time frame of its implementation after only one crop season; The Ambassador s obvious availability contributed to addressing the concerns expressed by the women; The need for the project to provide more information on project activities and achievements to the Embassy. 7

AY Assessment

AY Assessment Randall J. Webb Wellness, Recreation and Activities Center Division or Department: N/A Prepared by: Leah Jackson Date: 5.1.18 Approved by: Jerry Pierce Date: 7.18.18 Northwestern Mission. Northwestern