Achievements during the Quarter. A. Equitable and Trusting Relationships Among Stakeholders During this past quarter, PRODEL continued to work to strengthen vertical linkages between producers and PRODEL anchor firms, as was prioritized in the business plans. PRODEL anchor firms have formed binding and sustainable relationships with their producers to include producers with whom they had no direct relationship prior to the program. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Manager of Cereales Xxxxxxx in a quinoa field, Otavalo, Imbabura. The firms recognize that these new and stronger relationships have helped to improve their competitiveness and at the same time, allowed them to establish quality standards for their products. For example, in the case of SKS and the Cacao Small Producer’s Association of Esmeraldas (ECOCACAO), the firm buys consistent quality cacao pulp at $0.48 per pound from the producer’s association, compared to the benchmark price of $0.32 per pound in the area of influence. Moreover, it buys dry cacao at $145 per xxxxxxx (approximately 45 kilos) which is above the international commodity price. The two parties consider this pricing structure as direct, binding and fair. One of the critical success factors in strengthening the relationship with producers has been to assign one anchor firm staff to be in charge with anchor firm-producer relations. Chocolate tasting workshop with producers from the Ecocacao Association, Esmeraldas. At the SKS anchor firm, that person is Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx. To date, Xx. Xxxxxxx has held a number of producer workshops to improve processes and product quality. Producers received exposure to processes beyond the field level to include taste testing events and post-harvest quality control procedures that allow them to learn of other links in the cacao value chain. These workshops generate a great deal of expectations among producers, and receive publicity through local radio stations, where company representatives and ECOCACAO leaders offer interviews to highlight PRODEL activities.
Achievements during the Quarter. The PRODEL subcontract and grants department focused on the following activities during this past quarter: (1) processing in-kind and fixed obligation grants; (2) the approval and signing of grants for ten new anchor firms; and (3) conducting environmental reviews for the 10 new anchor firms for the program. A total of 4,144 producers participated in technical assistance activities implemented through the PRODEL program starting in the first quarter of FY 2009. Technical assistance provided to cacao and coffee farmers was implemented using the farmer field schools, whereby producers themselves analyze and assess the current state of their own farms and set production improvement priorities. PRODEL achievements in the area of subcontracts and grants during the first quarter of FY 2009 include: To date, a total of 20 EPF grant proposals have been approved in six value chains for a total of US$2,476,010. The second group of 10 anchor firm EPF grant proposals was approved in the amount of $823,079. A total of US$787,960 of the EPF monies had been disbursed to the first 10 anchor firms as of December 31, 2008. The 20 approved PRODEL anchor firms pledged to contribute $3,397,094 in leveraged funds toward the implementation of the program (see Table 9 below). Table 9: Projected Contribution from Anchor Firms ANCHOR FIRM VALUE CHAIN PRODEL FUNDS ANCHOR FIRM CONTRIBUTION Rio Intag, AACRI Arabica Coffee $104,290 $153,000 AAPPSME Medicinal herbs $120,200 $125,941 APROCA Cacao $199,650 $248,450 Aroma Amazónico Coffee $149,650 $300,800 Café Xxxxxxxx Arabica coffee $183,000 $195,000 Café Xxxxx Arabica Coffee $177,200 $214,500 Ecuatoriana de Chocolate Chocolate $188,100 $261,540 El queso francés X.X. XXXXXX Dairy products $182,750 $219,800 SKS Farms Dark chocolate $177,900 $260,540 Café Xxx xx Xxxxxxx Robusta coffee $170,191 $219,283 ESCOFFEE Coffee $109,854 $229,400 ECOLAC Dairy products $78,000 $81,650 ANCHOR FIRM VALUE CHAIN PRODEL FUNDS ANCHOR FIRM CONTRIBUTION FAPECAFES Coffee $109,800 $150,000 Salinerito Cacao $80,000 $114,000 Inagrofa Grains $105,300 $137,350 Aso Guabo Fruits $50,000 $88,000 Jugo Fácil Fruits $75,410 $100,700 COFINA Cacao $81,500 $104,000 APROCASH Cacao $65,715 $79,000 Cereales Andinos Grains $67,500 $78,140 TOTAL $ 2,476,010 $ 3,397,094 Table 10 below outlines the amounts spent from the approved budgets to directly benefit producers participating in the PRODEL program as of December 31, 2008. Table 10: Enterprise Partnership Funds to benefit Prod...
Achievements during the Quarter. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx was hired as the local business advisor for Esmeraldas Province to replace Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx. The PRODEL office hired Xxxxxxxx Xxxx as the procurement specialist to facilitate timely disbursements of the EPF grants and sub-contracts. The year two annual PRODEL work plan was completed and submitted during this past quarter and subsequently received approval from the USAID Mission in Ecuador.
Achievements during the Quarter. During the 4th quarter of FY 2008, PRODEL team members from ACDI/VOCA and CARE worked to develop an operating plan for municipal strengthening focused on process efficiencies for the private sector. This plan incorporates the SIGGLO “one stop shop” initiative to be implemented in four municipalities, three of which have already begun to use this tool. The identification and selection process for the anchor firms identified 12 municipalities for participation in PRODEL. The team based its selection of municipalities on the location of the majority of the producers and suppliers for each participating anchor firm as well as where the actual anchor firm is situated. Through the municipal strengthening component, PRODEL is directly impacting the improvement of services provided to the private sector. During the 4th quarter of FY 2008, the PRODEL team has established contact with representatives from each of the newly selected municipalities in order to discuss the details and scope of the program. The municipalities all indicated their openness to support PRODEL activities. Selected municipalities to date include:
Achievements during the Quarter. The PRODEL targets set for the end of the 4th quarter FY 2008 were nearly achieved as planned, as shown in Table 7 below. The number of anchor firms fell slightly short of its target due to the de-selection of two anchor firms during the business planning process. The number of anchor firms assisted by PRODEL will increase to 20 by the end of the 1st quarter of FY 2009. The indicator for “increase in anchor firm sales” is based on an annual calendar system used by participating anchor firms and according to Ecuadorian law, from January to December and will be measured as of December 31, 2008. As a result, this indicator does not coincide with PRODEL and USAID fiscal year reporting dates. The PRODEL team projects that this indicator will rise during the 1st quarter of FY 2009. One hundred percent of the number of municipalities to be assisted by PRODEL will be achieved as of the end of the 1st quarter of FY 2009. Efforts will intensify during the 1st quarter of FY 2009 as extension agents begin to work directly with each anchor firm in the field. Table 7: Achievements to Date (1st 10 Anchor Firms) Life of Project Target FY08 Target FY08 Progress % of quarterly target achieved % of Contractual final goal achieved Number of families receiving PRODEL assistance 8,000 2,827 2,750 97% 34% Hectares of licit crops established or improved with PRODEL assistance + 4,000 2,909 2,800 96% 10% Number of new full-time equivalent jobs created by PRODEL activities + 4,000 1,885 2,008 107% 8% Increase in anchor firm sales (%, $) +50% $6.264.484 +25% $5.872.954* $2,284,253** 39% achieved over a goal to be measured as of Dec. 31, 2008 37% Number of small and medium enterprises (anchor firms) assisted by the PRODEL program 20 12 10 83% 50% Number of municipalities assisted and that contributed to improve the business environment 10 6 4 67% 40% Table 8 below indicates the average annual sales revenue received by suppliers for the first 10 anchor firms. Table 8: Average Family Annual Revenue from Sales to Anchor Firms (First 10 Anchor Firms as of June 2008) Anchor Firm Average sales revenue (US$) AAPPSME 242 Aproca 570 Aroma Amazónico 1,080 Café Xxxxxxxx 3,504 Café Rio Intag 322 Café Xxxxx 827 Ecuatoriana de Chocolates No data available Mondel 602 Piladora Xxx xx Xxxxxxx 550 SKS 1,250 Average 983 Using the Sharepoint tool, the entire ME&R system has been uploaded to the web page xxx.xxxxxxxx-xxxxxx.xxx. Through SharePoint, ongoing program activities are outlined in a calendar sh...
Achievements during the Quarter. Under the Enterprise Partnership Fund, work during the 4th quarter focused on (1) negotiating the type and terms of grants to anchor firms; (2) compiling and systematizing information to monitor the grant disbursement and implementation; (3) disbursing the funds for Fixed- Obligation Grants based on completed milestones; and (4) initiating procurements for In-kind grants. In August 2008, Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xx. Xxxx Xxxxxx from ACDI/VOCA headquarters in Washington DC made a field visit to Ecuador to assist the PRODEL field staff in structuring grant procedures and funding mechanisms to anchor firms to allow for the greatest impact at the producer level and encourage the sustainability of these firms’ relationships. During this visit, Xx. Xxxxxxxx and Xx. Xxxxxx, along with PRODEL staff, accomplished the following: • Met with anchor firms to discuss opportunities for growth and for strengthening linkages with beneficiaries in target regions. Discussed key constraints to growth (at the firm and industry level.) Made recommendations on how investments can be used to create a sustainable impact and build long-term relationships. • Identified mechanisms to track milestones for each grant ensuring program results are met. • Worked with PRODEL field team to develop time-bound milestones for project beneficiaries. • Provided recommendations to PRODEL staff on how to best implement EPF within the program objectives and other program activities. During the 4th quarter of FY 2008, the program achieved the following under the Subcontracts and Grants component: • Proposals for first 10 selected anchor firms were presented and approved during a grants technical review committee meeting in the total amount of US $1,652,931. • As of the end of the 4th quarter of FY 2008, a total of seven anchor firms had signed cooperative agreements with the PRODEL program and had begun implementing the various approved activities in the EPF budgets. It is important to highlight that PRODEL anchor firms developed their EPF proposals to include a counterpart contribution far exceeding the USAID funds provided through the PRODEL program. The total counterpart contribution from the firms totals US$2,198,854 (see Table 9 below). Table 9: Counterpart Contribution from Anchor Firms Anchor Firm Value Chain PRODEL Funds Counterpart Contribution Rio Intag, AACRI Arabica Coffee $104,290 $153,000 AAPPSME Medicinal herbs $120,200 $125,941 APROCA Cacao $199,650 $248,450 Aroma Amazónico Coffee $14...
Achievements during the Quarter. The Local Governments Information and Managing System (SIGGLO) system is operational in four municipalities, streamlining the business registration process in Joya de los Sachas, Mira, Pimampiro and the Puyango municipalities. The user manual for the SIGGLO system developed by CARE is being reviewed by the PRODEL technical team in coordination with CARE technical representatives. Once the manual has been finalized, it will be provided to the municipalities participating in the program, in addition to USAID. During the quarter, PRODEL fielded four consultants to visit four PRODEL regions of intervention - Esmeraldas, Amazon Region, Northern Sierra Region, and Southern Region – to meet with municipal representatives and mayors. The work of the consultants led to a diagnosis of the current status of the business registration process at the municipal level which was presented to USAID previously. The consultants determined that the majority of the steps necessary in the business registration process at the municipal level take place outside of the municipal offices in other governmental offices. In response to this finding, the PRODEL consultants developed a model that links the Provincial Capital Territorial Development Agency with each municipal office or in some cases promotes the establishment of a Local Development Council.
Achievements during the Quarter. Achievements during the quarter and cumulative results can be found in the tables below. Highlights include: 20 anchor firms are tracking the progress of their companies against key sales and management indicators. A total of 8,002 families have been trained and are applying the knowledge gained in the production of agricultural goods. The sectors involved in these trainings to date include: coffee, cacao, herbs, grains (quinoa), dairy products and fruits. A total of 6,327 hectares have been improved through pruning techniques, shade management, fertilization, and pasture aeration. A total of 1,511 new hectares of crops have been established principally in the quinoa and cacao sectors. 315,000 cacao plants have been planted in group and individual nurseries. Participating producers are implementing organic certification processes on 1,257 hectares. 640,000 Arabica coffee plants have been produced for approximately 250 new hectares of coffee. These plants are being grown in community and individual nurseries. The Robusta coffee planting season ended in May at which time a total of 941 new hectares of this variety of coffee were established. A total of 5,632 jobs have been created as a result of improved farm management techniques for existing plantations in addition to the creation of new ones. PRODEL anchor firm sales have increased on average by 30% as of December 31, 2008, representing 60% of the planned target established for December 2009 (corresponding to the end of the fiscal year in Ecuador). The annual income is currently $1,329 for PRODEL participating families from 20 anchor firms calculated as of June 30, 2009. Table 6: Achievements to Date on PRODEL Indicators INDICATOR BASELINE (1) LIFE OF PROJECT TARGETS 3rd QUARTER FY09 PROGRESS CUMULATIV E PROGRESS TO JUNE 2009 % OF FY09 TARGET ACHIEVED Number of families linked to anchor firms receiving PRODEL assistance 2,295 8,000 1,279 8,002 100% Hectares of licit crops cultivated by producer families supplying PRODEL anchor firms 2,296 4,000 884 7,838 196% Number of new full time equivalent jobs for producers linked with PRODEL anchor firms 1,032 4,000 422 5,632 140% Increase in anchor firms sales ($) (2) 43,025,058 51,762,500 44,305,245 44,305,245 60% achieved over a projected goal to be measured as of Dec. 31, 2009 50% 30% 30% Number of small and medium enterprises (anchor firms) assisted by the PRODEL program 0 20 8 20 100% Number of Municipalities assisted and that contributed to improve the busine...
Achievements during the Quarter. The PRODEL subcontract and grants team focused on the following activities during this past quarter: (1) Allocating resources through the grants for 20 anchor firms; (2) Supporting the implementation and documentation of milestones for the grants; (3) Monitoring and evaluating field activities related to subcontracts and grants; and (4) Supporting the process of planning the subcontracts process for the Certification of Agricultural Best Practices (CABP) component. To date, 58 field technicians, 8 business strengthening specialists, 12 accounting advisors, 17 business advisors, 30 marketing specialists, 11 certification advisers and 56 construction technicians have been financed through the Enterprise Partnership Fund (EPF) to strengthen participating anchor firms and producer groups. Highlights from the EPF include: To date, 20 EPF grant proposals have been approved in six value chains for a total of $2,476,010. A total of $2,146,517 was disbursed to the 20 anchor firms as of June 30, 2009. $1,722,487 (80.2% of the resources allocated) has been invested in activities that directly benefit the producers and producer groups participating in PRODEL. See Table 12 below for details. As of June 30, 2009, participating PRODEL anchor firms and producer groups have pledged to contribute $3,125,226 in counterpart funds toward the implementation of the program. See Table 13 for details. Table 12: Enterprise Partnership Funds to Benefit Producers ANCHOR FIRM RESULT ITEM TOTAL APROCA Improved productivity Technical Assistance (3 experts), tools $34,465 Improved competitiveness Certification, marketing, fairs, equipment $19,835 Improved quality processes Collection center equipment $40,358 Provide plant material Nursery inputs, payment to grafters $56,406 Crop maintenance Crop management tools $10,810 Training Business Strengthening (MONTERREY TECH) $7,771 A. Amazónico Improved productivity Technical assistance (4 experts) $35,100 Improved competitiveness Business consultancy, marketing, equipment $36,017 Improved quality processes Collection center and equipment $17,133 Training Business Strengthening $4,771 Ecuatoriana De Chocolates Improved productivity Technical assistance (2 experts) $ 24,930 Improved competitiveness Marketing and promotion consultancy $15,035 Improved quality processes APEOSAE collection center upgrade $20,000 Provide plant material Nursery building, inputs, grafters $32,000 Crop maintenance Crop management tools $10,000 SKS Farms Improved produc...
Achievements during the Quarter. The CABP team developed its work plan in coordination with PRODEL coffee and cacao sector producer groups and anchor firms. The CABP team developed and distributed Certification Internal Control System tools among participating producer groups. In addition, leaders from each group were identified as the responsible party to ensure project implementation goals are met. Three informational workshops for PRODEL producers covering Rainforest Alliance and organic certifications were implemented in Esmeraldas, Loja and the Ecuadorian Amazon Region. Three workshops directed to anchor firm technical staff focusing on Control Systems for Rainforest Alliance and Organic certification norms were carried out. The CABP team contracted the Creatosfera Company to design and produce signage for participating program beneficiaries that meets Rainforest Alliance and organic certification requirements.
