The Food for Progress Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, announces a funding opportunity for fiscal year 2025 to increase agricultural productivity and expand trade in emerging agricultural countries. With a total federal funding allocation of $208 million, the program aims to award between 6 to 10 grants, each ranging from $5 million to $35 million. Eligible applicants include governments of emerging nations, non-profit organizations, and universities, provided they meet various compliance, documentation, and registration requirements. The application deadline is July 31, 2025, with prior submission and questions encouraged until July 15. Key requirements include a comprehensive proposal outlining strategic analysis, operational plans, monitoring, and evaluation strategies, commodity management, as well as detailed budgeting. The program specifically emphasizes cost efficiency to ensure that at least 70% of funding directly benefits agricultural activities. A unique aspect of the 2025 funding cycle is the increased thresholds for equipment definitions and indirect cost rates, aligning with updated federal regulations. Applicants must emphasize collaboration with local entities and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the target country's agricultural challenges. This funding opportunity represents a commitment to fostering agricultural development while ensuring transparency and accountability through rigorous oversight and assessment processes.

The Feed Enhancement for Ethiopian Development Phase II (FEED II) Project aims to increase the income of smallholder livestock producers in Ethiopia by improving access to affordable, high-quality animal feed to enhance livestock productivity. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and implemented by ACDI/VOCA, the project focuses on two strategic objectives: developing the animal feed sector and expanding agricultural product trade within the livestock and poultry industries. The project targets four regional states: Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, and Tigray. A baseline study was conducted to obtain key data on livestock holdings, productivity, and household characteristics to establish performance benchmarks for evaluating project impacts. The survey covered 1,914 households and revealed that 79.4% owned dairy cows, with a significant portion relying on local breeds. The research indicated low productivity rates and limited adoption of improved feeding practices. Key findings included that animal fattening was practiced by 43% of households, while poultry ownership and egg production varied regionally. The data collected will inform project interventions and measure progress towards achieving FEED II goals. Ultimately, FEED II seeks to address the challenges faced by the livestock sector, particularly regarding inadequate feed resources and low productivity, aiming for enhanced livelihoods among smallholder farmers.

The Feed Enhancement for Ethiopian Development Project – Phase II (FEED II), funded by the USDA, aims to improve the income of smallholder livestock producers in Ethiopia by enhancing access to quality animal feed. Initially a three-year project extended to five years, it sought to increase livestock and poultry productivity by 15% and expand trade in agricultural products. The final evaluation, using mixed methods, surveyed 1,894 households and various stakeholders to assess project outcomes. Findings revealed a notable adoption of improved livestock and agricultural practices, resulting in a 32% increase in livestock productivity, exceeding the 15% target. Poultry ownership rose by 12%, and milk productivity more than doubled among beneficiaries. The project successfully developed the animal feed sector, achieving a 210% increase in agricultural product trade. Challenges faced included limited access to quality feed and the need for better market linkages. The evaluation provided insights for future phases, emphasizing the importance of continuous support in training, access to resources, and market linkages to sustain improvements in livestock productivity and income for smallholder farmers.

The mid-term evaluation report for the Feed Enhancement for Ethiopian Development Project - Phase II (FEED II) aims to assess the program's effectiveness in improving livestock productivity for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Funded by the USDA, the project seeks to address inadequate livestock feed quality and availability, ultimately increasing farmer incomes by 15% through a series of targeted interventions across four regions. The evaluation highlights notable achievements, including establishing feed manufacturing enterprises and improving forage production. While many stakeholders acknowledge the project's foundation for future productivity gains, the full impact on incomes remains to be seen, as the project is still in its early stages. Key constraints identified include high feed prices, limited access to quality livestock breeds, market accessibility issues, and the slow diffusion of technologies to follower farmers. Training programs have successfully increased awareness and knowledge among farmers regarding improved feed cultivation, but challenges like seed shortages and environmental adverse conditions hinder progress. Recommendations include enhancing market linkages, diversifying feed ingredients, and expanding nursery capacities for forage production. Overall, the FEED II project shows promise in building a more sustainable animal feed sector, yet faces significant hurdles in realization of its goals within local agricultural systems.

The Kenya Semi-Arid Livestock Enhancement Support (K-SALES) Project, implemented by Land O’Lakes International Development with funding from the USDA, aimed to improve livestock productivity and expand trade in six Semi-Arid Zone 2 counties of Kenya from 2013 to 2017. The project focused on two strategic objectives: enhancing agricultural productivity and improving market access in the livestock value chain. Key interventions included training business service providers, facilitating farmer field schools, and establishing access to clean water systems. The final evaluation of K-SALES examined the project's relevance, effectiveness, impact, efficiency, sustainability, and cross-cutting issues such as gender and environmental conservation. Data was collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings indicated that K-SALES successfully engaged 78,728 farmers, exceeded most productivity targets, and significantly improved access to water and agricultural inputs. The project also raised livestock ownership and improved body condition scores among beneficiaries compared to control groups. While the project demonstrated effective resource allocation and established local partnerships, challenges in achieving some targets, particularly in technology adoption, were noted. Recommendations from the evaluation emphasized the importance of adjusting target setting and synchronizing staff hiring with project timelines to enhance future initiatives. Overall, K-SALES showcased the potential for sustainable development in semi-arid regions by addressing critical livestock sector challenges.

The Baseline Evaluation Report on the FY 2017 Food for Progress "Feed Enhancement for Development of Ethiopia (FEED-III)" project, funded by the USDA, presents a comprehensive assessment aimed at improving livestock productivity in Ethiopia. The project targets smallholder farmers in four regions - Oromia, Tigray, Amhara, and SNNP - focusing on the livestock value chain, including dairy, poultry, and animal fattening. The evaluation establishes benchmarks for performance indicators, identifies gaps in feed supply chains, and collects socioeconomic data from 1,648 households through qualitative methods, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Key findings indicate that livestock is essential for household income, but challenges such as feed scarcity, high costs, and inadequate management knowledge hinder productivity. Women play a significant role in livestock management, particularly in dairy and poultry, but face barriers in accessing training and resources. Recommendations emphasize improving feed supply, enhancing collaborative learning, and aligning interventions with gender roles to empower both men and women in the livestock sector. Overall, the report underscores the importance of a strategic approach to bolster livestock productivity, enhance income, and address food security challenges through effective interventions in Ethiopia's agricultural frameworks.

The Ethiopia Food for Progress Project (FEED III), funded by the USDA, aimed to enhance livestock productivity and economic resilience among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia from September 2017 to April 2021. Implemented by ACDI/VOCA, the project targeted feed growers and livestock producers across several regions, focusing on increasing agricultural productivity and expanding agricultural trade. A final evaluation assessed the project's effectiveness and impact, revealing significant increases in dairy production, animal fattening, and poultry. Key findings included a 13% rise in dairy farming participation and a 22% increase in milk productivity per cow among beneficiaries, compared to non-beneficiaries. Additionally, income from dairy sales surged from Birr 5,679 at baseline to Birr 15,591 post-intervention. FEED III also improved forage production, increasing the number of households engaged in such practices from 9% to 30%. The evaluation highlighted the importance of continued support for feed market systems and the need for scaling successful practices established during the project. Recommendations included enhancing collaboration among agricultural institutions, supporting feed processing enterprises, and focusing on sustainable management of forage nurseries. Overall, FEED III demonstrated substantial positive impacts on the livelihoods of smallholder livestock producers, contributing significantly to the U.S. government's strategic agricultural goals in Ethiopia.

The USDA Regrow Yirga 2022 Cohort Baseline Evaluation Report assesses the impact of the Regrow Yirga Coffee Farm College program aimed at enhancing productivity in Ethiopia's coffee sector. Implemented by TechnoServe and funded through the USDA’s Food for Progress program, the project commenced in January 2022 following prior delays. The report evaluates agronomy best practice adoption among 756 households in the Dilla Zuriya, Wenago, and Yirgacheffe woredas, identifying varying levels of adherence to essential practices, such as weeding (80%) and coffee nutrition (75%). Conversely, rejuvenation—a critical method for improving yields—was only adopted by 4% of farmers. The study also highlights socio-economic profiles, revealing that 76% of household income is derived from coffee, with significant poverty indicators prevalent. Data reflects low literacy rates among farmers, particularly women, which poses challenges for implementing record-keeping practices, integral to the project’s success. The report aims to inform ongoing training and implementation strategies based on baseline insights, setting the stage for evaluating the program's efficacy in increasing best practice adoption and enhancing farmers' income and productivity by 2025.

The Cacao for Development (C4D) Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aims to enhance productivity and income for small cacao producers in Colombia through improved agricultural practices and market linkages. The baseline study, conducted by Fundación Solidaridad Latinoamericana and Muttuo Consultores, surveyed 1,083 producers across four clusters, identifying key characteristics of their farms and socio-economic profiles. Findings indicate that most producers are male (69%) with an average age of 56. The average cacao farm spans 11.05 hectares, with cacao occupying approximately 21% of this area. Challenges noted include low productivity (average of 385 kg/ha) and minimal adoption of best practices related to soil management and pest control. Only 28% of producers reported regular use of irrigation, and many faced barriers in accessing technical assistance and financial services. The study revealed a reliance on informal market channels and a lack of commercial agreements. Many producers reported high operational costs, making the sector less attractive for younger generations. Recommendations highlight the need for targeted agricultural extension programs and stronger cooperative structures to facilitate training, financial access, and market opportunities, aiming to improve overall farm sustainability and profitability.

The USDA Food for Progress Colombia project, known as the Colombian Cacao and Complementary Crops for Development (C4D), aims to enhance the country's cacao value chain and improve the livelihoods of cacao farmers over the project's duration from 2020 to 2028, with a budget of approximately $44.8 million. The midterm evaluation report assesses the project's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and overall impact, utilizing a mixed-methods approach involving producer surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews across 14 departments in Colombia. Key findings indicate that the project effectively addresses issues in productivity and technical assistance, with nearly 80% of producers adopting recommended practices. Recent strategies, including crop diversification and improved access to financial services, aim to bolster farmers' incomes. The evaluation also identifies challenges such as limited responses from local governments and the need for a common vision among stakeholders. Recommendations emphasize refining the project's strategy, enhancing market alignment with international standards, and facilitating infrastructure improvements to support farmers in scaling operations. The report underscores the necessity of future cooperation and resource alignment among local and international actors for lasting impact.

The Food Aid Information System (FAIS) is a framework developed by the USDA’s International Food Assistance Division to manage food aid proposals under the McGovern-Dole, Food for Progress (FFPr), and Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement programs. This document serves as a guideline for applicants, detailing instructions for submitting food aid proposals, from registering for an eAuthentication account to the final submission of proposals. Key sections include user registration, creating and managing proposals, assigning roles within proposal teams, and submitting required documentation. Importantly, the guide emphasizes the need for accuracy and timeliness in proposals, alongside providing mechanisms for monitoring progress and resolving issues. The FAIS interface is designed for ease of navigation, featuring sections for proposal summaries, results, budget narratives, and required attachments. It also contains workflow actions to support proposal review processes. The document illustrates an organized process to ensure compliance with federal regulations, aiming to enhance efficiency and clarity for users submitting food aid requests. This structured approach underscores the USDA's commitment to effective food aid distribution and support for organizations involved in international nutrition and education initiatives.

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The Food Aid Information System (FAIS) User Manual provides essential instructions for users involved in U.S. agricultural assistance programs such as PL 480 Title I - Food for Peace, Food for Progress, and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education. It outlines the system's purpose, which encompasses the application for commodities and funding, agreement negotiations, reporting, and contract management processes. Key sections include user access management, proposal creation, submission processes, agreement negotiations, and managing participant profiles. The manual emphasizes user roles, outlining specific permissions for directors, proposal creators, and contributors. Guidelines for online registration, accessing the system, and navigating its features are thoroughly detailed to facilitate efficient workflow. The proposal creation process is critical and includes steps for drafting, modifying, and submitting proposals, along with managing approval statuses. Additionally, the agreement negotiation stage allows participants to engage in discussions regarding their proposals once approved. Overall, the FAIS manual is a comprehensive guide designed to streamline the food aid application process, ensuring effective collaboration between program participants and the USDA for the successful management of federal food aid programs.