Food and Nutritional Security Program
PROSAN- Rayuwa 
A Title II program of USAID 
Final Evaluation Report 
October 2011 
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Acknowledgements 
This evaluation report incorporates a tremendous amount of effort by a large number of 
people, each of whom played a critical role to the success of the mission. The consultants 
would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of CRS, CARE, HKI in Niger, to 
USAID and all of its partners, and to beneficiaries for their full cooperation in the 
conduct of the evaluation. Everyone made him or herself available and was open to a full 
discussion of program events and how they have unfolded over the course of the 
program’s implementation. 
Finally, our greatest debt of gratitude is to the people of the districts surveyed who so 
warmly offered their unmeasured hospitality in their communities and homes. Despite the 
interruptions that we caused in their daily routines, they shared their experiences, and 
became our partners in research. We hope that this effort may someday make a difference 
in their very difficult lives. 
To all these people, we reiterate our sincere thanks and acknowledge their respective 
contributions to this evaluation. 
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 
ASC Community Health Agent 
AOP Annual Operation Plan 
CSI Integrated Health Center 
CVD Village Development Committee 
CCC Communication for Behavior Change 
COSAN Health Committee 
COGES Management Committee 
CSCOM Health Community Center 
CRS Catholic Relief Services 
CS Cooperating Sponsors (Africare; CRS, HKI, CARE) 
DAP Development Activity Plan 
DIP Detailed Implementation Plan 
ECD District Support Team 
FFW Food for Work 
FFP Food for Peace 
GAA Food Support Group 
GSA Breastfeeding Support Group 
HKI Helen Keller International 
IB Bamako Initiative 
IDA Health II project funded by the World Bank 
IEB Immediate and Exclusive Breastfeeding 
IEC Information, Education and Communication 
INRAN Niger National Agronomic Research Institute 
ISA Food Security Initiative 
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MYAP Multi-Year Assistance Program 
ONG Non-Governmental Organization 
PEV Extended Vaccination Program 
PN Project Number 
SCVM Households Livelihood Security 
SIS Health Information System 
S&N Health and Nutrition 
SCAP-RU Community Early Warning System and Responses to Emergencies 
SRO Oral Rehydration Drink 
SSS Salted and Sweet Drink 
USAID United States Agency for International Development 
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Contents 
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... i
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .........................................................................ii
Index of Tables................................................................................................................ v
Index of Figures ............................................................................................................. vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... vii
I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1
A. Background ......................................................................................................... 1
B. Objectives of (the) MYAP-PROSAN ................................................................... 2
C. Critical Issues in the Operating Environment of MYAP ....................................... 3
D. Objectives of this evaluation ................................................................................ 4
E. Evaluation Methodology ...................................................................................... 5
II. PROSAN Activities and Achievements ................................................................... 9
A. SO1 Activities and Achievements ...................................................................... 10
B. SO2 Activities and Achievements ...................................................................... 21
C. SO3 Activities and Achievements ...................................................................... 40
D. Program Impacts ................................................................................................ 42
III. PROSAN PROCESS ASSESSMENT ................................................................ 51
A. Overview of management systems ..................................................................... 51
B. Monitoring and Evaluation................................................................................. 51
C. Capacity development, partnership and sustainability ........................................ 53
D. Resource Management ...................................................................................... 54
IV. Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................... 55
Appendix A: IPTT Indicators ........................................................................................ 62
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Index of Tables 
Table 1: Number of households interviewed, by region ................................................... 8
Table 2: Household awareness of and participation in CVDs, by region .......................... 9
Table 3: Adoption of agricultural practices, by region ................................................... 11
Table 4: Adoption of agricultural practices, by SO1 participation category .................... 12
Table 5: Percentage of HH reporting “extremely satisfied” with specific adopted 
agricultural practices, by SO1 participation category ..................................................... 15
Table 6: Production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, by region ..................................... 16
Table 7: Production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, by SO1 participation category ..... 16
Table 8: HH engaged in agroprocessing and group marketing, by region ....................... 18
Table 9: HH engaged in agroprocessing and group marketing by SO1 participation 
category ........................................................................................................................ 19
Table 10: Household ownership of livestock, by region ................................................. 20
Table 11: Household ownership of livestock, by SO1 participation category ................. 20
Table 12: Adoption of improved livestock practices, by SO1 participation category ...... 21
Table 13: Anthropometric measures of children, by region ............................................ 21
Table 14: IYCF practices, by region .............................................................................. 31
Table 15: IYCF practices, by SO2 participation category.............................................. 33
Table 16: Percentage of children 12-24 months who have received vaccinations, by 
region ............................................................................................................................ 34
Table 17: Vaccinations, by SO2 participation category .................................................. 34
Table 18: Diarrhea incidence and treatment, by region .................................................. 35
Table 19: Diarrhea counseling received, by region ........................................................ 36
Table 20: Diarrhea incidence and treatment, by SO2 participation category ................... 37
Table 21: Diarrhea counseling received, by SO2 participation category ........................ 38
Table 22: Mean HDDS by survey round and type of support provided .......................... 43
Table 23: Mean MAHFP by survey round, and type of support provided ....................... 44
Table 24: Household production of food crops (millet, sorghum, cowpea), kg/HH, by 
survey round and district ............................................................................................... 44
Table 25: Anthropometric indicators of U5 children, by region ..................................... 45
Table 26: Percentage of women 15 – 49 with BMI < 18.5, by region ............................. 46
Table 27: Program outcome and impact indicators, by survey round ............................. 47
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Index of Figures 
Figure 1: Map of Intervention Zone ................................................................................. 3
Figure 2: Adoption of agricultural practices by SO1 participation group ........................ 13
Figure 3: Adoption of irrigation, by SO1 participation group (% of HH) ....................... 13
Figure 4: Source of developed irrigation, by region ....................................................... 14
Figure 5: Household production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, by SO1 participation 
category (median kg/HH) .............................................................................................. 17
Figure 6: Percentage of HH engaged in group marketing, by SO1 participation category
 ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 7: Percentage of HH engaged in agro-processing activities, by SO1 participation 
category ........................................................................................................................ 19
Figure 8: Percentage of children aged 6 to 59 months with stunted growth (Height for age 
<-2SD), by survey round and region .............................................................................. 23
Figure 9: Percentage of underweight children aged 0 to 59 months (Weight for age <-2 
SD), by survey round and region ................................................................................... 23
Figure 10: Comparison of wasting in children aged 0 to 59 months (Weight for height <-2 
SD), baseline and endline surveys ................................................................................. 24
Figure 11: Percentage of women with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 by region and survey round ... 24
Figure 12: Comparison of women receiving any antenatal visits, baseline and final 
surveys .......................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 13: Comparison of mothers with any ANC to mothers with 4 or more ANC visits, 
by SO2 participation category ....................................................................................... 27
Figure 14: Mean number of antenatal visits for women of children under 24 months, by 
SO2 participation category ............................................................................................ 27
Figure 15: Comparison of iron supplementation for mothers of U2 children, baseline and 
final surveys .................................................................................................................. 28
Figure 16: Comparison of women who received vitamin A post partum, baseline and final 
surveys .......................................................................................................................... 28
Figure 17: Mothers who received vitamin A post partum, by SO2 participation category
 ...................................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 18: Eexclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months), by survey round and region ............. 31
Figure 19: Infants breastfed within the first hour after birth, by survey round and region
 ...................................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 20: Household production of major food crops (millet, sorghum, cowpea), kg/HH, 
by survey round and district........................................................................................... 45
Figure 21: Adoption of recommended practices, by survey round .................................. 47
Figure 22: Household production of staple food crops (millet, sorghum cowpea), by 
survey round.................................................................................................................. 48
Figure 23: Mean HDDS and MAHFP, by survey round ................................................. 48
Figure 24: Comparison of stunted and underweight children, baseline and final survey . 50
Figure 25: GIS data of households and villages of surveyed sites................................... 53
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
MYAP and PROSAN 
In response to high levels of food insecurity in target areas in Niger, CRS and its partners, 
CARE, and HKI initiated a five-year USAID Multi-Year Assistance Program (MYAP). 
Also called PROSAN, the “Programme de Sécurité Alimentaire et Nutritionnelle” was 
begun in 2007 and completed in 2012. The program consists of three major activities 
(below) implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS/Niger) in partnership with 
Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE) and Helen Keller 
International (HKI) in three geographical areas of Niger: Dosso, Tahoua, and Zinder. 
The central goal is to reduce food and livelihood insecurity by 2011 for vulnerable 
households in three districts. The program seeks to enhance economic opportunities for 
vulnerable groups through increased crop production and income generating activities, 
and to improve the quality of life through better health and nutrition. 
Food Security in Niger 
Niger is an agricultural country where 85 percent of the population is rural and engaged 
in agriculture as a primary source of income. Ranked 167 out of 169 countries in the 
Human Development Index, Niger is among the world’s poorest countries, with an 
average annual income of $357 in 2010; a high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates; 
and a life expectancy of less than 46 years. Only 46 percent of Nigeriens have access to 
clean water, and just 12 percent have adequate sanitation. 
The food security status of households in Niger is determined by the interplay of natural 
and human resources, the viability of livelihood systems and survival strategies, the 
politics of resource allocation and use, and the impact of development intervention. 
Niger is plagued by natural calamities such as persistent drought and climate change 
including excess rainfall and flooding, this, along with ravages caused by the world 
economic crisis. The unpredictability of natural disasters, coupled with a profound lack of 
assets and revenue-generating activities, makes it difficult for households to mobilize 
sufficient resources to recover from losses while meeting current household needs. Poor 
roads, or the absence of roads and other physical infrastructure, exacerbate each of the 
above-mentioned sources of vulnerability of this primarily farming population. These 
factors have contributed to the deteriorating food conditions and may have negatively 
impacted certain project results during particular periods and in particular areas, 
influencing, for example, variable rates of child wasting by region and declining rates of 
food production and food access from the midline to final evaluation. The latter would be 
coupled with the more obvious fact that the final evaluation took place during the 
“hungry season”. Chronic malnutrition (stunting) rates would not have been significantly 
impacted by the timing of the evaluations since those rates are less influenced by seasonal 
changes than by long term factors such as poverty, poor access to safe drinking water and 
sanitation infrastructure, limited access to micronutrient rich foods, limited availability 
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and access to family planning services, etc. Yet the analysis of the evolution of the 
nutritional status of children under five in terms of wasting shows overall improvement 
since the baseline, another aspect of project success in spite of numerous obstacles. 
Key Objectives 
The components of PROSAN build upon past achievements realized in the first 
Development Assistance Program (DAP-ISAN), which was implemented in 2002 to 
improve the livelihoods of poor households. DAP’s implementation strategy was based 
upon participatory community development. Building upon the successes of DAP, 
PROSAN consists of three strategic objectives to address key behavioral and systemic 
constraints related to food availability, access and utilization. The objectives and 
expected results were as follows: 
1) To protect and enhance livelihoods of vulnerable households through 
increased agro-pastoral production and improved agro-enterprises by 2012. 
2) To enhance human capabilities through improved health and nutritional 
practices in vulnerable in targeted communities. 
3) To protect and enhance the resiliency of target communities through 
improved abilities to identify and respond to recurrent shocks by 2012.
The Evaluation 
The final evaluation presented in the Final Report combines qualitative and quantitative 
data aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of how PROSAN has been 
implemented and how its implementation has succeeded in bringing about the desired 
changes in the lives and livelihoods of household and institutional participants. The final 
evaluation aims to: (i) assess the extent to which CRS and its partners have accomplished 
the stated goals and objectives of the five-year program, as amended; (ii) assess the 
effectiveness of the technical approach by reviewing program activities that have been 
successful and those that have not, including reasons why (as much as is feasible); (iii) 
obtain answers to key questions that may contribute to better applying lessons learned, 
best practices, sustainability, and recommendations for future programming; and (iv) 
document and summarize the overarching lessons learned from the program to a wider 
audience including the consortium, partner organizations, donors, Government of Niger 
and other stakeholders. 
The evaluation is designed to capture the maximum amount of information in a limited 
time frame. It is based on a qualitative and quantitative field study, in addition to 
monitoring of indicators collected by PROSAN field staff during the course of the 
program. The methodology deploys a set of complementary research activities, survey 
instruments, and techniques for gathering and analyzing information. 
The field evaluation centered on three main groups involved in program activities: 
PROSAN and its partners’ administrators, coordinators and supervisors at national and 
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local levels, and field agents and program beneficiaries at the village level. The fieldwork 
activities applied a range of tools including key informant interviews, focus group 
discussions, large group discussions, community meetings, observation of program 
activities and outcomes, and several participatory research techniques. The evaluation 
team received a pre-field training and participated in designing the focus group 
discussion outline and randomly selecting the field sites. 
Villages selected for qualitative assessment were selected by the evaluation team based 
on variations between agro-ecological zones, livelihood systems, and levels of 
vulnerability. The selection reflected the most common types of activities in each SO 
with a mix of both activities completed early in the program life as well as activities, 
which were started later. The team also looked for opportunities to be able to see 
innovative activities, even if not widely replicated in the program, to be able to consider 
them for promising practices. 
The objectives in the scope of work were distilled into a set of critical questions and 
interview topic outlines. The focus group outline covered the following general topics: (i) 
MYAP objectives and program activities, (ii) level of community participation, (iii) 
community-level impacts, (iv) partnership, capacity building and sustainability, and (v) 
suggestions for improvement. 
Positive Impacts and Results 
CRS and its partners in Niger have made considerable progress in meeting the majority of 
its objectives. Throughout the evaluation, it has become evident that PROSAN has had 
numerous positive impacts on the lives and livelihoods of participants. Focus groups 
reported positive changes in living conditions since the beginning of the program, for 
example, household access to nutritional diets was increased, building upon household 
level agricultural production supported by SO1. Increased group participation was 
another positive impact. In terms of the specific activities and subcommittees, the activity 
with the greatest participation was Cash for Work (CFW), in which almost one-third of 
all surveyed households participated. Participation in this activity was higher in Zinder 
than in Tahoua and Dosso. One-quarter of all households participated in health/nutrition 
nutrition subcommittees. Approximately 20 percent of all interviewed households were 
engaged in cereal banks and habannaye groups, and over 15 percent were engaged in 
literacy groups. The groups with the lowest levels of participation were in agriculture (13 
percent) and agro-processing (7 percent). 
Overall one of the key lessons learned in the program is that people have increased their 
trust and willingness to engage in group activities and productive community-driven 
initiatives. There is a growing sense of ownership and pride about group activities such as 
habbanaye, vegetable gardening, and Early Warning Groups. Participants feel that they 
are gaining the tools to take charge of their own development activities. 
The program has provided opportunities to increase good governance and management, 
as well as transparency at the village level by forming village level farmer farmers groups 
with elected positions. This is especially important at a time when Niger is undergoing 
political and administrative change and decentralization, when local communities will 
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have increasing opportunities to get involved in governance. Another positive aspect is 
that communities are learning how to mobilize resources to manage their own projects 
and extend the program activities in other domains. 
Technically, beneficiaries have been exposed to many new techniques in agriculture, 
nutrition, hygiene and management that will have lasting effects in improving the quality 
of life beyond the life of the program. 
The status of women is progressively changing as a result of the high level of women’s 
participation in various groups. Women’s visibility and leadership has increased through 
their engagement with the program and their participation in all project activities. This is 
a success story that CRS and its partner should build on for future programming in Niger. 
The first strategic objective of PROSAN is to achieve sustainable improvements in the 
availability of food for poor households in selected districts. It focuses on creating 
changes that will lead to increased production of food crops in villages throughout the 
program area. The focus is on smallholder households—providing technical assistance 
and training to promote sustainable farming practices, more productive and diversified 
farming systems, and increased agro-enterprise for producers of target area households. 
These activities aim to increase sustainable yields, thus contributing to improvements in 
the availability of food for poor rural households, both presently and in the future. 
Intermediate results under this SO are intended to restore basic production and increase 
productivity with expanded marketing capacities for participants. 
Food crop production has increased as a result of program initiatives. Technical 
assistance and training was given to smallholder households to promote sustainable 
farming practices, more productive and more diversified farming systems, and improved 
agro-enterprise activities. Agricultural potential was enhanced through the rehabilitation 
of small-scale irrigation and drainage systems, as well as soil and water conservation 
infrastructure utilizing food-for-work (FFW) programs. Irrigation is the most 
transformative agricultural investment option within the three regions, providing farmers 
with extremely productive and profitable new agricultural options, and PROSAN has 
been a major force in providing farmers with access to irrigation within the program area. 
Small- scale irrigation is the key to success in the future, decreasing long vulnerability. 
A high proportion of households that received SO1 training from the program grew 
greater quantities of each of the three staple food crops than those who did not receive 
training. Importantly, the production per household of each of the three crops is 
significantly higher for households that received training than those that did not, 
indicating that the adoption of recommended practices has had a positive impact on 
household production of major food crops. In addition, the production per household of 
training participants in “old” villages is higher (measured by the median) than households 
in the “new” villages. This result supports the argument that over time farmers adopt the 
agricultural practices that provide them with the greatest benefits (measured by 
household production of food crops). 
Adoption rates of all types of agro-processing and group marketing are significantly 
higher for households that have received SO1 training. PROSAN Strategic Objective 2 is 
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to protect and enhance the health and nutritional status of vulnerable household members, 
represented particularly by women of reproductive age and children under five, by 
increasing access to quality primary health care and improving household health and 
nutrition practices and sanitary and nutritional coverage in the three targeted regions of 
Tahoua, Dosso and Zinder. 
The results of the quantitative assessment of the nutritional status of children 6 to 59 
months showed an overall rate of chronic malnutrition and chronic lack of growth at 
37.4% for the entire area covered by the program. Several intermediate results of 
PROSAN show an increase in positive behavior for women, however, favorable to the 
good health and nutrition of vulnerable groups of the population. We saw, for example, 
increased visits to antenatal clinics, and the percentage of women who received iron 
supplementation now exceeds 80%. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding of infants under 
six months is high, at nearly 80% in all three areas of intervention program. 
Feeding practices for infants and young children are better in areas that received ISAN / 
PROSAN than compared with the areas that received only PROSAN, or had no support 
from the two programs. These results are very important in terms of long-term impacts 
and sustainability, as they reflect a positive cumulative impact of training over time. 
Immunization coverage of children against major killer diseases (tuberculosis, polio, 
whooping cough, measles and yellow fever) is very good—over 80% in all regions and 
regardless of the type of vaccine. However, the percentage of children from 1 to 2 years 
that were fully vaccinated is quite low, not even reaching 50%. The program did not 
succeed as hoped in the management of diarrhea, which remains an area of critical 
vulnerability. 
The analysis of the evolution of the nutritional status of children under five years in terms 
of wasting in the intervention area PROSAN shows overall improvement of the latter 
compared with the results of the baseline survey. This could reflect a positive impact of 
PROSAN upon the nutritional status of children. While it is difficult to attribute this 
positive effect exclusively to PROSAN, it can be said that the program has contributed to 
improving this situation in its area of intervention. 
To improve access of vulnerable populations in their area of operation, PROSAN 
officials have implemented a number of strategies including the renovation or 
construction of health infrastructure and facilitation of training for appropriate 
management and training of community workers on the actions needed to prevent 
malnutrition and infection (essential nutrition actions). The results of impact indicators 
and health practices, and nutrition at the household level, have shown some improvement 
even if it is slow, due to chronic malnutrition which has deeper causes, some of which 
have not yet been adequately taken into account (hygiene and sanitation, improving 
living conditions of women, etc.). Infant and young feeding practices, for example, have 
improved. 
The resiliency of target communities was increased through improved abilities to identify 
and respond to recurrent shocks. The multiple shocks associated with recent droughts and 
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floods are eroding the asset base of households to the point where recovery could be 
compromised. 
The results of impact indicators for health and nutrition practices at the household level 
have shown some improvement even if it is slow. Chronic malnutrition has deeper 
causes, some of which have not yet been adequately addressed (access to hygiene and 
sanitation infrastructure, improving living conditions of women, etc.) On the other hand, 
infant and young child feeding practices have improved.
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I. INTRODUCTION 
A. Background 
Niger is an agricultural country where 85 percent of the population is rural and engaged 
in agriculture as a primary source of income. Ranked 167 out of 169 countries in the 
Human Development Index, Niger is among the world’s poorest countries, with an 
average annual income of $357 in 2010; a high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates; 
and a life expectancy of less than 46 years. Only 46 percent of Nigeriens have access to 
clean water, and just 12 percent have adequate sanitation. 
In addition to the negative impact on agricultural production caused by the world 
economic crisis, persistent droughts have affected production throughout the country, 
especially in districts covered by the program. Overall the past decade has been 
characterized by considerable climatic change with regard to rainfall, with greater 
seasonal rainfall variation than in the past. These shifts in rainfall patterns have disrupted 
the agricultural production calendar, further leading to an increase in crop failures. 
The food security status of households in Niger is determined by the interplay of natural 
and human resources, the viability of livelihood systems and survival strategies, the 
politics of resource allocation and use, and the impact of development intervention. 
Households, the ultimate unit of analysis for measuring impact, make critical decisions 
about the allocation of productive resources. Thus their demographic characteristics, 
resource endowments, revenue-generating activities, and strategies of production, trade, 
and consumption constitute a set of critical livelihood and food security indicators. In 
addition, the food security status of households in Niger is determined by the interplay of 
natural and human resources, the viability of livelihood systems and survival strategies, 
the politics of resource allocation and use, and the impact of development intervention. 
A most significant factor is the program area’s vulnerability to natural calamities. These 
calamities wreak havoc on household assets, including livestock, crops, and pasture. 
Chief among the recent calamities are drought, the bane of rain-fed agriculture, and 
floods. The unpredictability of natural disasters in the PROSAN zone, coupled with a 
profound lack of assets and revenue-generating activities, makes it difficult for 
households to mobilize sufficient resources to recover from losses while meeting current 
household needs. 
Farming remains the predominant occupation throughout the area of intervention, and is 
the most widely practiced livelihood system. Rural households are chronically vulnerable 
to livelihood system failure and food shortages. Households must endure prolonged 
drought and other natural disasters. Crop harvests from small, dispersed landholdings of 
varying quality are highly seasonal and, although petty trade almost universally 
accompanies farming, the rhythm of market activity fluctuates with seasonal production. 
Access to nonagricultural employment for rural households is limited by the geographical 
distribution of jobs and their small number. The shortcomings of public and private 
education place even limited jobs beyond the reach of most rural dwellers. Only 14 
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percent of Niger’s people are functionally literate; constituting a significant factor in the 
poverty that is so prevalent. Indeed, educational opportunities are limited for many boys 
and girls. Of the rural population attending school, only 10 percent complete primary 
grades, while secondary school and college attendance falls well below. Likewise, 
craftwork, a potentially important source of full-time and dead-season employment that 
requires supplementary training rather than basic education, is handicapped by 
undercapitalized production techniques and weak market links. 
Poor roads, or the absence of roads and other physical infrastructure, exacerbate each of 
the above-mentioned sources of vulnerability. Residents of most rural localities walk or 
move their goods on the backs of animals, rather than utilizing motorized vehicles. Even 
pedestrian and animal traffic is hampered during the rainy season, when heavy 
downpours, cresting rivers, and flooding make roads, paths, and trails impassable. 
Consequently, transportation costs for people and goods are high, and in many cases, 
spoilage consumes agricultural products before products can reach the market. 
B. Objectives of MYAP-PROSAN 
In response to the extremely critical situation described above, the “Programme de 
Sécurité Alimentaire et Nutritionnelle” (PROSAN) was begun in 2007 and completed in 
2012. The program consists of three major activities (below) implemented by Catholic 
Relief Services (CRS/Niger) in partnership with Cooperative for Assistance and Relief 
Everywhere, Inc. (CARE) and Helen Keller International (HKI) in three geographical 
areas of Niger: Dosso, Tahoua, and Zinder. 
The components of the program build upon past achievements realized in the first 
Development Assistance Program (DAP-ISAN), which was implemented in 2002 to 
improve the livelihoods of poor households. DAP’s implementation strategy was based 
upon participatory community development. 
Building upon the successes of DAP, PROSAN consists of three strategic objectives to 
address key behavioral and systemic constraints related to food availability, access and 
utilization. The objectives and expected results are as follows: 
1) To protect and enhance livelihoods of vulnerable households through increased 
agro-pastoral production and improved agro-enterprises by 2012. This objective 
focuses on creating changes that will lead to increased production of food crops. The 
focus will be placed on smallholder households—providing technical assistance and 
training to promote sustainable farming practices, more productive and more diversified 
farming systems, and improved agro-enterprise activities. Agricultural potential will be 
enhanced through the rehabilitation of small-scale irrigation and drainage systems, as 
well as soil and water conservation infrastructure utilizing food-for-work (FFW) 
programs. 
2) To enhance human capabilities through improved health and nutritional 
practices in vulnerable in targeted communities. This objective focuses on 
improving household access to a nutritious diet. In doing so, it builds on household￾level agricultural production supported by SO1. 
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3) To protect and enhance the resiliency of target communities through improved 
abilities to identify and respond to recurrent shocks by 2012. 
PROSAN is implemented in three districts of the three regions of Niger (Figure 1): 
Figure 1: Map of Intervention Zone
C. Critical Issues in the Operating Environment of MYAP 
Two features of the operating environment affected the implementation of PROSAN: 
1. The first aspect of the operating environment that affected program 
implementation was the late start-up in 2008. The Government of Niger’s efforts 
to end Food For Work activities in 2007 created major problems in the planning 
of PROSAN activities, as these were heavily based on the Food for Work model, 
in which these development activities were funded by monetization. (Food 
surplus is sold in the market of developing countries and then used to fund 
development activities.) At numerous meetings it became clear that the government 
of Niger has informed the NGOs that it is no longer committed to Food for Work 
as a tool for development. The government’s new position led to major delays in 
the implementation of the program, which was partially based on Food for Work 
as a development strategy. Thus CRS and its partners had to change their 
implementing strategies and restructure activities to adapt to the new context. 
These factors may have reduced the effectiveness of PROSAN efforts in various 
sectors during particular periods and in particular geographic areas. 
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The program chose to adopt cash-for-work (CFW) activities to implement project 
initiatives, while program personnel experienced major delays and frustration in 
the implementation of PROSAN, including, for example, disruptions in the 
process of set-up and staffing of offices. It was only in October 2008 that the 
program started effectively, leaving only 3 years before the scheduled completion 
of the overall activities. For most of 2007-2008 there were numerous disruptions 
to program activities, as the partnership with the various stakeholders in the 
region was taking place in the context of a new program design and an extremely 
volatile political environment. 
2. The second critical factor to consider in this review process is the impact of 
droughts and floods on the livelihood of program beneficiaries. These 
environmental shocks have severely hindered agricultural activities in the 
program areas and have likely affected health indicators, below. Many households 
in the program area lost most of their productive assets. This situation caused a 
major slowdown in the execution and outputs of planned activities. 
Approximately 50 percent of the households that THE MYAP had begun working 
with reported total destruction of crops. Access to the beneficiaries in the affected 
areas also limited most of the planned activities for the following months. Many 
beneficiaries lost the inputs provided by the program due to persistent drought, 
making it more difficult to successfully promote some of the program’s activities. 
D. Objectives of this evaluation 
This final evaluation combines qualitative and quantitative data aimed at gaining a 
comprehensive understanding of how PROSAN has been implemented and how its 
implementation has succeeded in bringing about the desired changes in the lives and 
livelihoods of household and institutional participants. The final evaluation aims to: (i) 
assess the extent to which CRS and its partners have accomplished the stated goals and 
objectives of the five-year program, as amended; (ii) assess the effectiveness of the 
technical approach by reviewing program activities that have been successful and those 
that have not, including reasons why (as much as is feasible); (iii) obtain answers to key 
questions that may contribute to better applying lessons learned, best practices, 
sustainability, and recommendations for future programming; and (iv) document and 
summarize the overarching lessons learned from the program to a wider audience 
including the consortium, partner organizations, donors, Government of Niger and other 
stakeholders. 
Three external consultants were commissioned over the period July 8 through August 4, 
2011 in order to conduct a final evaluation for the program. PROSAN staff from CRS, 
CARE, and HKI provided support for the evaluation. The evaluation reviewed the 
program to assess progress and formulate recommendations. 
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E. Evaluation Methodology 
The evaluation is designed to capture the maximum amount of information in a limited 
time frame. It is based on a qualitative and quantitative field study, in addition to 
monitoring of indicators collected by PROSAN field staff during the course of the 
program. The methodology deploys a set of complementary research activities, survey 
instruments, and techniques for gathering and analyzing information. 
The study began with a review of related program documents in order to frame the 
relevant issues. A non-formal presentation by each component coordinator and other 
staff provided crucial background information. The team reviewed several key 
documents compiled by program staff, including: 

 the MYAP proposal 

 the baseline study 

 annual results reports 

 MYAP program design document 

 trimester and annual reports 

 audit reports 

 other relevant reports in the targeted districts. 
The field evaluation centered on three main groups involved in program activities: 
PROSAN and its partners’ administrators, coordinators and supervisors at national and 
local levels, and field agents and program beneficiaries at the village level. 
The fieldwork activities applied a range of tools including key informant interviews, 
focus group discussions, large group discussions, community meetings, observation of 
program activities and outcomes, and several participatory research techniques. The 
evaluation team received a pre-field training and participated in designing the focus 
group discussion outline and randomly selecting the field sites. 
This process included rural household survey—for example, health and nutrition 
questionnaires, that provided data on key indicators tracked by the program. 
Villages selected for qualitative assessment were selected by the evaluation team based 
on variations between agro-ecological zones, livelihood systems, and levels of 
vulnerability. The selection reflected the most common types of activities in each SO 
with a mix of both activities completed early in the program life as well as activities, 
which were started later. The team also looked for opportunities to be able to see 
innovative activities, even if not widely replicated in the program, to be able to consider 
them for promising practices. 
The objectives in the scope of work were distilled into a set of critical questions and 
interview topic outlines. The focus group outline covered the following general topics: (i) 
MYAP objectives and program activities, (ii) level of community participation, (iii) 
community-level impacts, (iv) partnership, capacity building and sustainability, and (v) 
suggestions for improvement. 
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The quantitative household survey is designed to obtain information on households 
within the PROSAN operational area with respect to their overall food security 
conditions, and for program participants, information about their perceptions of program 
interventions, and adoption of behaviors promoted by the program. In addition, the 
household survey is designed to obtain information about outcome and impact level 
indicators in the program IPTT, to compare with results from the baseline and mid-term 
surveys. As recommended by FFP, the household survey is a population-based survey in 
which the sample frame for the survey includes all households residing within the 
PROSAN intervention area. 
The quantitative household survey sample size was computed using the following 
formula:
n = D [(Zα + Zβ)
2
 * (P1 (1 - P1) + P2 (1 - P2)) /(P2 - P1)
2
] 
KEY: 
n = required minimum sample size per survey round or comparison group 
D = design effect 
P1 = the estimated level of an indicator measured as a proportion at the time of the first 
survey or for the control area 
P2 = the expected level of the indicator either at some future date or for the program area 
such that the quantity (P2 - P1) is the size of the magnitude of change it is desired to 
be able to detect 
Zα = the Z-score corresponding to the degree of confidence with which it is desired to be 
able to conclude that an observed change of size (P2 - P1) would not have occurred 
by chance (α - the level of statistical significance), and 
Zβ = the z-score corresponding to the degree of confidence with which it is desired to be 
certain of detecting a change of size (P2 - P1) if one actually occurred (β-level of 
statistical power). 
The indicator used as the basis of sampling is stunting rates for children under five years 
of age. The level of stunting of U5 children observed in the program intervention area 
was 39.9% in the baseline survey, so P1 is set at 0.39. The sample size calculation has 
been set to be able to detect a reduction of 6 percentage points (15%) in the stunting rate. 
Applying the following parameter values, the equation will yield the minimum required 
sample size per stratum: 
D = 2.0 
P1 = .399 
P2 = .339 
Zα = 1.645 (α=0.95)
Zβ = 0.84 (β=0.80)
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Using these values, the estimated value of n, or the minimum required sample size, is 
1,600. Because not all households have U5 children, the minimum sample size of 
households needs to be adjusted to ensure that a sufficient number of children (1,600) are 
measured. However, in the baseline survey, the total of children under 5 surveyed from 
the sampled households was greater than the number of households sampled (2,987 
measured from 1,841 households), so a sample of 1,600 households within the program 
area is expected to provide at least 1,600 U5 children. 
A two-stage cluster design was employed for the baseline survey, with the first stage 
involving selection of clusters (villages) and the second stage being the selection of 
households. The sampling frame consisted of all villages within the PROSAN operational 
area and since this is a population-based survey, all households residing in these villages 
were eligible for interviewing. Villages were selected using probability proportional to 
size (PPS) from the list of all villages in the program’s operational area. The number of 
villages (clusters) was chosen to maximize the number of total villages to be consistent 
with the logistically feasible minimum feasible number of households to be interviewed 
within each village. Overall, a total of 54 villages were selected, with a target of 30 
households to be interviewed per village, to give a target total sample of 1,620 HH to be 
surveyed. 
The selection of villages was stratified along two dimensions. First, the sample was 
stratified by region, with 18 villages selected in each of the three regions of Tahoua, 
Dosso, and Zinder. The second dimension of stratification was designed to capture and 
compare information about i) “old” villages that are currently in PROSAN and also 
participated in the previous DAP (the ISAN program), and ii) “new” villages which are in 
PROSAN but were not covered under ISAN. The purpose of this stratification was to be 
able to assess the cumulative impacts over time of support provided by Title II programs. 
Within each region, 9 “old” (PROSAN + ISAN) villages and 9 “new” (PROSAN) 
villages were selected. The sample was weighted to account for these stratifications in the 
selection of villages. Note that in Zinder only 16 separate villages are reported, because 
two large villages were selected twice in the PPS process. In these two villages the target 
number of households to be interviewed was 60 rather than 30. 
Tables of results from the quantitative household survey are broken down by region, and 
by categories of household participation in PROSAN, and in the previous Title II 
program, ISAN. In each of these tables, statistical tests were conducted to detect a 
difference in the means (or proportions) of the indicators across the different subgroups 
reported in the tables. If the statistical tests indicate a difference across the subgroups 
with at least a 90 percent level of confidence (significance level of the test less than 0.10) 
a star is placed next to the appropriate value in the tables. The use of a 90 percent level of 
confidence as a cutoff value is a widely used standard in cross-section surveys, which 
typically have very high levels of variability in all measured variables, making it very 
difficult to measure differences across subgroups with a higher level of confidence. 
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Table 1 provides information about the actual number of households interviewed by 
region, and the computed numbers, based on the sampling weights: 
Table 1: Number of households interviewed, by region 
Region Actual # HH interviewed Weighted # HH 
interviewed 
Tahoua 550 903 
Dosso 489 324 
Zinder 572 400 
Total 1,611 1,627 
Within selected villages, households were then selected to be interviewed using the 
random walk process described in the FANTA sampling guide. Interviews were 
conducted with both the household head and the mothers of children under five years old 
present in the interviews, to ensure that accurate information was obtained in the 
interview. If the household members with the necessary information were not available at 
the time of first contact with the household, the enumerators would arrange to return to 
the household at a later time when they could meet with the appropriate household 
members. 
Key Definitions 
The household was the primary unit of analysis used in data collection and analysis. The 
definition of household utilized is “a group of people who are related, who live together, 
produce together and eat together most of the time.” 
In the context of Niger, villages may be scattered or broken into smaller clusters as 
households migrate, and village boundaries are sometimes difficult to define. For the 
purposes of this program, a village is defined as “a collection of households in a shared 
physical space in which households share basic infrastructure and engage in similar 
livelihood activities.” Field staff met with leaders of communities in order to better 
define the boundaries of specific nomadic communities. 
Community leaders and members enthusiastically welcomed the PROSAN evaluation 
team in all field sites visited. The communities made every effort to facilitate their work 
by hosting field agents and agreeing to participate in community meetings and focus 
groups at a time when most people are busy preparing for the planting season. The strong 
rapport and level of trust established between PROSAN and its partners’ agents and 
community members was evident during the study. 
The analysis and interpretation of the results was largely under the control of external 
evaluators, although much assistance was provided by PROSAN staff during the process. 
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II. PROSAN Activities and Achievements 
The PROSAN program operates in communities through Village Development 
Committees (Comite Villagois de Developement, CVD), which have been established by 
the program. These committees are composed of several subcommittees that are 
responsible for oversight and management of specific program activities within the 
villages. As shown in Table 2, village residents are very aware of the CVDs. Overall, 
over 80 percent of all surveyed households were aware of CVDs within their 
communities. In addition, participation in activities managed by CVDs was very high, 
with over half of all interviewed households indicating that they participated in activities 
supported by the CVDs. Participation in CVD activities was significantly higher in 
Zinder, at 60 percent of all interviewed households, compared with 50 percent in the 
other two regions. 
In terms of the specific activities and subcommittees, the activity with the greatest 
participation was Cash for Work (CFW), in which almost one-third of all surveyed 
households participated. Once again the participation in this activity was higher in Zinder 
than in Tahoua and Dosso. One-quarter of all households participated in health/nutrition 
nutrition subcommittees. Approximately 20 percent of all interviewed households were 
engaged in cereal banks and habannaye groups, and over 15 percent were engaged in 
literacy groups. The groups with the lowest levels of participation were in agriculture (13 
percent) and agroprocessing (7 percent). 
Table 2: Household awareness of and participation in CVDs, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% HH aware of CVD 82.7 72.3a
 85.9b
 81.4 
Participation in CVD 
committees 
Participation in CVD 49.3 53.1 
 
59.7a,b 52.6 
Participation in 
subcommittees: 
 CFW 31.5 28.9 35.1b
 31.9 
 Health/nutrition 23.5 28.7a
 22.1b
 24.2 
 Cereal banks 26.2 11.4a
 14.1a
 20.3 
 Habannaye 29.1 4.2a
 11.4a,b 19.8 
 Literacy 11.4 26.6a
 19.8a,b 16.5 
 Agriculture/livestock 10.9 21.1a
 12.8b
 13.4 
 Agroprocessing 6.8 10.7a
 5.8b
 7.3 
n 903 324 400 1,627 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level
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A. SO1 Activities and Achievements 
The first strategic objective of PROSAN is to achieve sustainable improvements in the 
availability of food for poor households in selected districts. It focuses on creating 
changes that will lead to increased production of food crops in villages throughout the 
program area. The focus is on smallholder households—providing technical assistance 
and training to promote sustainable farming practices, more productive and diversified 
farming systems, and increased agro-enterprise for producers of target area households. 
These activities aim to increase sustainable yields, thus contributing to improvements in 
the availability of food for poor rural households, both presently and in the future. 
Intermediate results under this SO are intended to restore basic production and increase 
productivity with expanded marketing capacities for participants. 
However, activities under this SO1 are largely dependent on external factors such as the 
climatic conditions that were unfavorable during most of the program’s duration. In 
addition, the decision by the GoN in 2007 to ban Food for Work for non-emergency 
programming delayed the start of the activities and reduced the level of resources that 
were planned for this activity. 
Although focus group discussion revealed some level of satisfaction about activities 
accomplished under SO1, many challenges were also mentioned. Beneficiaries noted: 
• Many field agents started working late in the program (end of 2008 and beginning 
2009) and their workloads were too high. 
• Few demonstrations were in place before the 2009 cropping season, due to a lack 
of budget for equipment and supplies, delays in purchasing, and so forth. 
• Farmers in the new villages only began implementing and evaluating sustainable 
agricultural practices on a large scale in their fields in the 2009 cropping season. 
Table 3 provides information about adoption of agricultural practices promoted by 
PROSAN. Several practices are very widely adopted, with almost 90 percent of all 
surveyed households reporting the use of organic fertilizer and natural regeneration 
techniques. Three-quarters of all households reported implementing soil improvement 
techniques, particularly zai/tassa. Approximately 50 percent of all households reported 
use of mineral fertilizers, improved seeds, and chemical pesticides. Natural pesticides and 
fallowing were adopted relatively less, by one-quarter or fewer of households. Some 
important patterns of variation across the three regions are evident: use of organic 
fertilizer and compost was significantly lower in Zinder than in the other regions, while 
use of fallow was higher. Irrigation is also significantly less in Zinder than the other 
regions. Note that the adoption of irrigation is constrained by physical limitations – 
farmers can only adopt irrigation if readily exploitable water sources are available near to 
farmers’ fields. For further detail on LOA targets, see revised IPTT Table in Appendix A. 
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Table 3: Adoption of agricultural practices, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
Soil improvement techniques 74.3 75.3 76.0 74.9 
zai/tassa 63.2 57.3a
 27.4a,b 53.2 
demilunes 38.2 30.7 a
 38.8b
 36.8 
Plant trees 10.7 13.5 9.5b
 11.0 
Mulching (paillage) 20.4 21.5 39.5 a,b 25.4 
Organic fertilizer 93.5 97.6 a
 64.6 a,b 87.2 
Fallow 18.0 18.6 28.1 a,b 20.6 
Natural regeneration 
techniques 82.7 94.4 a 93.0 a 87.5 
Compost 35.7 40.0 16.2 a,b 31.7 
Mineral fertilizer 48.8 68.2 a
 22.7 a,b 46.3 
Improved seed 48.9 33.5 a
 58.6 a,b 48.2 
Irrigation 30.5 32.5 13.8 a,b 26.8 
Chemical pesticides 49.2 59.2 a
 47.1b
 50.7 
Natural pesticides 28.3 22.2 a
 22.0 a
 25.5 
Improved cropping practices 
(appropriate planting 
densities, crop rotation, 
appropriate weeding, etc.) 40.8 20.5 a 66.0 a,b 42.9 
n 903 324 400 1,627 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
Table 4 provides information about adoption of agricultural practices broken down into 
three categories of participation in training in SO1 interventions. The first category is 
households that did not receive any training from the program in SO1 activities 
(agricultural production, NRM, agroprocessing, and agricultural marketing). The second 
category is households that received SO1 training, and who reside in “new” program 
villages, participating only in PROSAN. The third category is households that received 
SO1 training under PROSAN, but live in villages that were also previously supported 
under the ISAN DAP. The results in Table 4, and also shown graphically in Figure 2, 
show a very distinct pattern for the adoption of agricultural practices. Households that 
received SO1 training have significantly higher adoption rates of all types of 
recommended practices than households that did not receive training, suggesting that the 
training has had a significantly positive impact on household adoption of these 
However the other very distinct pattern is that with only one exception—natural 
regeneration techniques, adoption rates were lower (or at the most, no higher) in the “old” 
villages than in the “new” villages. In other words, the rate of adoption of individual 
techniques was generally lower in villages that received support for a longer time. This 
somewhat surprising result may be explained by the fact that farmers in the “new” 
villages are more likely to try out all the new techniques being promoted by the program, 
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whereas farmers in the “old” villages are more likely to have selectively adopted the 
techniques that provide them with the greatest benefits. This explanation is supported by 
the results on agricultural production across the three SO1 participation categories. 
presented in subsequent pages. 
Table 4 and Figure 2 also demonstrate that some practices recommended by the program 
(organic fertilizer, natural regeneration techniques, improved cropping practices, 
improved seed, and mineral fertilizer) are quite widely adopted by farmers that did not 
participate in program trainings. These are activities which farmers clearly see 
advantages to adopting. However, even for these popular practices the adoption rate is 
higher for households that participated in training. 
Table 4: Adoption of agricultural practices, by SO1 participation category
No 
training
Training 
(PROSAN)
Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
Soil improvement techniques 54.3 86.1a
 88.0a
 74.9 
zai/tassa 35.3 67.8a
 59.9a,b 53.2 
demilunes 16.8 50.2 a
 47.3a
 36.8 
Plant trees 2.6 16.9a
 15.0a
 11.0 
Mulching (paillage) 16.2 29.8a
 31.7a
 25.4 
Organic fertilizer 78.9 96.6a
 87.8a,b 87.2 
Fallow 20.5 17.7 23.5 20.6 
Natural regeneration 
techniques 78.4 90.7 a 95.1a,b 87.5 
Compost 17.0 47.5 a
 33.6a,b 31.7 
Mineral fertilizer 32.6 60.3 a
 48.7a,b 46.3 
Improved seed 38.6 57.8 a
 50.1a,b 48.2 
Irrigation 17.1 35.2 a
 29.9a,b 26.8 
Chemical pesticides 33.0 63.4 a
 59.0a
 50.7 
Natural pesticides 10.9 37.4 a
 31.1a,b 25.5 
Improved cropping practices 
( appropriate planting 
densities, crop rotation, 
appropriate weeding, etc.)
35.8 51.9 a
 42.7a,b 42.9 
n 604 500 524 1,627 
a
different from households with no training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from households with training in PROSAN areas at 0.10 significance level 
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Figure 2: Adoption of agricultural practices by SO1 participation group
Adoption of irrigation is presented separately in Figure 3 because adoption of irrigation is 
constrained by farmers’ access to available water resources. As can be seen in the figure, 
a higher proportion of households that received SO1 training have adopted irrigation than 
those who have not received training. The sources of the investment in the farmers’ 
irrigation systems are presented in Figure 4. The most important sources are private 
investment by the farmer, and PROSAN, which is by far the largest source of irrigation 
investment in Dosso and Zinder. In 
Tahoua, the highest proportion of 
farmers installed their irrigation 
systems privately, but even in this 
region around one-third of all 
farmers with irrigation benefitted 
from PROSAN irrigation 
investments. Irrigation is the most 
transformative agricultural 
investment option within the three 
regions, providing farmers with 
extremely productive and profitable 
new agricultural options, and 
PROSAN has been a major force in 
providing farmers with access to 
irrigation within the program area. 
Figure 3: Adoption of irrigation, by SO1 participation 
group (% of HH) 
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Figure 4: Source of developed irrigation, by region 
*Percentage calculated only for households who have developed irrigation.
Household members were asked about their level of satisfaction for each type of 
recommended agricultural practice they adopted. Possible responses included: “very 
satisfied”, “somewhat satisfied”, and “not satisfied”. Table 5 reports the percentage of 
households that reported being “very satisfied” with each specific type of agricultural 
practice. Overall the reported level of satisfaction was very high for all practices. 
Interestingly, the level of satisfaction was generally no higher for households that 
received training from PROSAN than for those that did not receive training directly from 
PROSAN. That is, the training provided by PROSAN has a great impact on adoption 
rates (see Table 4), but the training has not greatly changed farmers’ perceptions of the 
benefits of these practices, among farmers who have adopted the practices. These results 
suggest that the real benefit of the SO1 training has been to encourage new practices, and 
farmers who have adopted these practices without direct training from PROSAN, either 
through learning from PROSAN farmers, or from training provided by other 
organizations, have the same perceptions of the benefits of these new practices. 
One result that is somewhat surprising in Table 5 is the relatively low proportion of 
households reporting being extremely satisfied with irrigation, compared with many of 
the other practices. Given the critical importance of water for agriculture in the program 
areas, and the highly productive options that access to irrigation affords to farmers, it 
might be expected that satisfaction with access to irrigation should be very high. The 
relatively low rates of response of “extremely satisfied” may reflect the fact that 
irrigation systems do not completely eliminate farmers’ exposure to production risks: the 
irrigation systems can still go dry at critical points in the off-season production cycle, the 
systems experience breakdowns, and conflicts among water users may disrupt supplies to 
individuals. These limitations may explain the relatively low proportion of farmers who 
reported being extremely satisfied with irrigation. 
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Table 6 and Table 7 report on household production of the three major food crops grown 
by farmers in the program area: millet, sorghum, and cowpea. As can be seen in Table 6, 
almost all households grew millet and cowpea, and almost two-thirds of households grew 
sorghum. Sorghum is less widely grown in Dosso compared with the other two regions, 
whereas cowpea is somewhat more prevalent there than in Tahoua or Zinder. Mean and 
median production per household are reported in these tables. Mean values are reported 
to compare with other published information on crop production figures. However, the 
production quantities are typically very skewed, with a small number of farmers who 
grow very large quantities compared with their neighbors. For these skewed distributions, 
the sample median is a better measure of the “average” production of most farmers, 
because this measure is not greatly affected by a few extreme values. Production of millet 
Table 5: Percentage of HH reporting “extremely satisfied” with specific adopted agricultural 
practices, by SO1 participation category 
No 
training 
Training 
(PROSAN) 
Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
Soil improvement techniques 90.2 89.1 86.8 88.5 
n 327 430 461 1,219 
Organic fertilizer 89.5 92.1 88.8 90.2 
n 476 483 460 1,419 
Fallow 66.7 83.7a
 86.2b
 78.3 
n 123 89 123 335 
Natural regeneration 
techniques 87.7 88.0 86.8 87.5 
n 473 453 498 1,425 
Compost 88.6 83.2 81.3 83.6 
n 103 238 176 516 
Mineral fertilizer 89.1 85.2 84.2 85.9 
n 197 301 255 753 
Improved seed 85.6 79.4a
 79.5b
 81.3 
n 233 289 262 784 
Irrigation 68.5 73.6 63.7c
 68.8 
n 103 176 157 436 
Chemical pesticides 81.8 81.4 83.2 82.2 
n 199 317 309 825 
Natural pesticides 77.9 70.7 57.6b,c 66.7 
n 66 187 163 416 
Improved cropping practices 88.9 80.0a
 80.1b
 82.8 
n 216 259 224 699 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
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and cowpea per household is higher in Dosso than in the other two regions, whereas 
production of sorghum is much lower in Dosso. 
Table 7: Production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, by SO1 participation category
No training 
Training 
(PROSAN) 
Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
Millet 
 % HH 93.0 98.0a
 99.1a
 96.5 
 Mean production 749.0 1,031.9a
 964.2a
 908.4 
 Median production 550.0 687.5 811.3a,b 687.5 
Sorghum 
 % HH 57.7 74.1a
 59.4b
 63.3 
 Mean production 189.1 225.0 219.8a
 211.3 
 Median production 100.0 137.5a
 137.5a
 125.0 
Cowpea 
 % HH 84.8 94.3a
 95.9a
 91.3 
 Mean production 132.3 190.8a
 235.0a,b 185.6 
 Median production 90.0 135.0a
 184.0 a,b 92.0 
n 604 500 524 1,627 
a
different from households with no training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from households with training in PROSAN areas at 0.10 significance level 
Data in Figure 5 show that a higher proportion of households that received SO1 training 
from the program grew greater quantities of each of the three staple food crops than those 
who did not receive training. Importantly, the production per household of each of the 
three crops is significantly higher for households that received training than those that did 
not, indicating that the adoption of recommended practices has had a positive impact on 
Table 6: Production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
Millet 
 % HH 95.4 98.2a
 97.7a
 96.5 
 Mean production 914.2 1,142.9a
 704.5a,b 908.4 
 Median production 687.5 962.5a
 500.0b,c 687.5 
Sorghum 
 % HH 67.5 49.1a
 65.3b
 63.3 
 Mean production 211.5 69.9a
 297.0a,b 211.3 
 Median production 137.5 41.3a
 250.0a,b 125.0 
Cowpea 
 % HH 90.2 96.8a
 89.4b
 91.3 
 Mean production 153.5 256.5a
 196.6a,b 185.6 
 Median production 90.0 184.0a
 115.0 a,b 92.0 
n 903 324 400 1,627 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
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PROSAN- Rayuwa Final Evaluation Report 
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household production of major food crops. In addition, the production per household of 
training participants in “old” villages is higher (measured by the median) than households 
in the “new” villages. This result supports the argument outlined above, that over time 
farmers adopt the agricultural practices that provide them with the greatest benefits 
(measured by household production of food crops). The adoption rate for particular 
practices is somewhat lower in “old” villages than in “new” ones, but agricultural 
production is higher among trained farmers in “old” villages. 
Figure 5: Household production of millet, sorghum, and cowpea, by SO1 participation category
(median kg/HH) 
Agricultural Processing and Marketing 
Under SO1, PROSAN is also supporting the development of agroprocessing and group 
marketing of crops. PROSAN has launched its agricultural processing techniques only 
during the last two years. These include the following: Under ISAN, the Cooperating 
Sponsor promoted an improved method of processing cowpea into a locally known and 
consumed form of couscous called, béroua. A new label was designed to try to gain 
market share, but the product spoiled quickly and had a short shelf life. CRS started 
promoting in 2009 different solar drying technologies for vegetables, okra in particular. 
According to the focus group discussion, the experience is not conclusive yet. 
In most cases agricultural processing is done on an individual basis. There were few 
cases of community-level processing and marketing systems. In some cases, however, 
women come together informally to help each other, for example, to extract peanut oil or 
dry okra. 
An exception is vegetable producers, which, as group units supported by CRS and by 
CARE in the Dosso region, seem to operating cohesively, with more than 100 members 
in each group. 
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Table 8 and Table 9 provide results for the number of households adopting these 
practices, by region and by participation in SO1 training respectively. Overall, about 40 
percent of all surveyed households reported being engaged in some type of agro￾processing, and slightly over 20 percent were engaged in group marketing. As can be 
seen in Table 8, adoption of agro-processing activities is lower in Zinder than in Tahoua 
or Dosso, while the making of oil is significantly more widespread in Dosso than in the 
other two regions. Group marketing is relatively less prevalent in Dosso. 
Adoption rates of all types of agro￾processing and group marketing are 
significantly higher for households 
that have received SO1 training 
(Table 9; Figure 6; Figure 7). 
However, as in the case of agricultural 
production practices, the rates of 
adoption are lower in the “old” 
villages than in the “new” villages. 
These results suggest that over time a 
significant number of households 
have given up on these practices. 
These results should not be taken as a 
negative assessment of the training. It 
is important to understand that not all 
households are expected to adopt 
agro-processing activities. Some 
households will specialize in these 
Table 8: HH engaged in agroprocessing and group marketing, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% HH engaged in agro￾processing 41.3 50.0a
 32.8a,b 40.9 
 Milling (cereals) 27.2 35.1a
 18.8 a,b 26.7 
 Drying (cereals) 27.0 18.2a
 15.8a
 22.5 
 Oil pressing 14.3 28.7a
 14.5b
 17.2 
 Smoking 14.3 5.4a
 9.8 a,b 11.4 
 Paste (peanut) 3.6 15.0a
 2.3b
 5.5 
 Grinding (cereals) 4.0 14.9a
 1.2a,b 5.5 
 Brewing (cereals) 5.9 0.9a
 1.9a
 3.9 
 Frying 2.7 0.9a
 0.3a
 1.8 
% HH engaged in group 
marketing 25.2 13.0a
 21.0 21.7 
n 903 324 400 1,627 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
Figure 6: Percentage of HH engaged in group 
marketing, by SO1 participation category 
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activities, based on their particular interests, capacities, and access to credit or savings. 
The program strategy is to provide training in these activities to many households, with 
the expectation that households will try them on their own, but also with the 
understanding that many households will ultimately decide that they do not want to 
continue in these activities. 
Table 9: HH engaged in agroprocessing and group marketing by SO1 participation category
No training
Training 
(PROSAN)
Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
% HH engaged in agro-processing 18.2 60.8a
 48.1a,b 40.9 
 Milling (cereals) 8.6 44.6a
 30.5 a,b 26.7 
 Drying (cereals) 9.8 37.5a
 22.8 a,b 22.5 
 Oil pressing 4.1 25.9a
 24.1a
 17.2 
 Smoking 1.2 23.2a
 11.9 a,b 11.4 
 Paste (peanut) 1.4 7.3a
 8.6a
 5.5 
 Grinding (cereals) 0.1 7.0a
 10.3 a,b 5.5 
 Brewing (cereals) 1.2 8.9a
 2.3b
 3.9 
 Frying 2.0 2.4 0.9b
 1.8 
% HH engaged in group 
marketing 13.8 32.3a
 20.8 a,b 21.7 
n 604 500 524 1,627 
a
different from households with no training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from households with training in PROSAN areas at 0.10 significance level 
Figure 7: Percentage of HH engaged in agro-processing activities, by SO1 participation category
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Livestock ownership and practice 
Information about livestock ownership is provided in Table 10 and Table 11. Overall, 
over 80 percent of all surveyed households reported having some livestock, with the 
highest percent (90 percent) in Dosso. On average, households had about 2.5 sheep, two 
goats, one cow, and three poultry. Households who received SO1 training were more 
likely to have animals, and more animals, than those who did not receive training. 
Table 12 provides information about adoption of livestock practices by categories of 
participation in SO1 training. Not surprisingly, adoption of recommended practices is 
higher for participants than non-participants. As in the case of agriculture, the rate of 
adoption is lower in “old” communities than in “new” communities. Also interesting to 
Table 10: Household ownership of livestock, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% HH with livestock 81.0 89.5a
 82.3 83.0 
Average number of animals per HH: 
 sheep 2.1 2.1 1.9 2.0 
 goats 2.4 3.4a
 2.6b
 2.6 
 cattle 1.2 1.5a
 1.0 1.2 
 camels 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.6 
 donkeys 0.7 0.2a
 0.3a,b 0.5 
 poultry 3.3 5.4a
 2.1a,b 3.5 
 horses 0.0 0.0 0.1a,b 0.1 
 other 0.1 0.1 0.0b
 0.1 
n 903 324 400 1,627 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
Table 11: Household ownership of livestock, by SO1 participation category
No training 
Training 
(PROSAN)
Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
% HH with livestock 71.6 91.4a
 88.2a,b 83.0 
Average number of animals per HH: 
 sheep 1.3 2.6a
 2.3a
 2.0 
 goats 1.8 3.2a
 3.0a
 2.6 
 cattle 0.9 1.5a
 1.2b
 1.2 
 camels 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.6 
 donkeys 0.4 0.7a
 0.4b
 0.5 
 poultry 2.1 4.3a
 4.3a
 3.5 
 horses 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 
 other 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 
n 604 500 524 1,627 
a
different from households with no training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from households with training in PROSAN areas at 0.10 significance level 
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note in this table is the high rate of adoption of recommended practices by households 
that have not received SO1 training, suggesting that these are activities that are perceived 
to be beneficial by many households, whether or not they have received training directly 
by the program. 
Table 12: Adoption of improved livestock practices, by SO1 participation category
No training 
Training 
(PROSAN)
Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
Improved feeds 58.0 80.5a
 70.7a,b 70.0 
Deworming 47.3 76.6a
 68.0a,b 64.3 
Vaccinations 50.2 79.3a
 72.6a,b 67.7 
Fodder storage 46.8 71.7a
 60.3a,b 59.8 
n 432 457 462 1,351 
a
different from households with no training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from households with training in PROSAN areas at 0.10 significance level 
B. SO2 Activities and Achievements 
PROSAN Strategic Objective 2 is to protect and enhance the health and nutritional status 
of vulnerable household members, represented particularly by women of reproductive 
age and children under five, by increasing access to quality primary health care and 
improving household health and nutrition practices and sanitary and nutritional coverage 
in the three targeted regions of Tahoua, Dosso and Zinder. 
The main approaches used by PROSAN to reach this objective include (i) training health 
workers on Integrated Management of Child Illnesses (IMCI) focusing on the treatment 
of common childhood illnesses, (ii) training of community workers on Essential Nutrition 
Actions (ENA) and in Community IMCI, (iii) facilitating the construction or renovation 
and equipment of health infrastructures, (iv) facilitating community outreach antenatal 
visits and immunization sessions, (v) developing community-based distribution of 
micronutrients (iron/folic acid, vitamin A), (vi) implementation of Information, 
Education and Communication (IEC) sessions by community health workers to sensitize 
community members and especially women on best preventive health and nutrition 
behaviors, (vii) implementation of Positive Deviance/Hearth, and (viii) screening of 
malnutrition cases and referral to health facilities for adequate management. 
Three impact indicators were selected to measure the impact of PROSAN activities on 
health and nutritional status of women and children in the targeted program areas. 
• Impact indicator 2.1. a. Percentage of children aged 6 to 59 months with stunted 
growth (Height for age <-2 SD) by vulnerability status and gender. 
• Impact indicator 2.1.b. Percentage of underweight children aged 0 to 59 months 
(weight for age < - 2SD) by vulnerability status and gender. 
• Impact indicator 2.2. Percentage of women with a body mass index below 18.5 
kg/m2. 
Table 13: Anthropometric measures of children, by region 
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Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% 
children N 
% 
children N 
% 
children N 
% 
children N 
Stunting (HAZ < 2sd) 
 Female 27.7 303 34.1a
 293 52.8a,b 159 35.5 755
 Male 31.2 295 32.5 271 64.7a,b 170 39.4 736
 Both 29.4 598 33.3 564 59.0a,b 329 37.4 1,491
Underweight (WAZ < 2sd) 
 Female 21.0 281 29.7a
 195 35.9a
 142 27.2 618
 Male 29.3 287 34.2 199 48.1a,b 154 35.3 640
 Both 25.2 568 32.0a
 394 42.2a,b 296 31.3 1,258
Wasting (WHZ < 2sd) 
 Female 12.5 273 9.3 183 4.5a,b 132 9.7 588
 Male 22.6 283 15.2a
 178 13.0a
 146 18.1 607
 Both 17.6 556 12.2a
 361 9.0a
 278 14.0 1,195
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
The results of the quantitative assessment of the nutritional status of children 6 to 59 
months show an overall rate of chronic malnutrition (stunting) at 37.4% for the entire 
area covered by the program (Table 13). 
Tahoua has the lowest percentage of stunted children (29%) compared to other regions. 
Unlike the other two regions, the stunting rate has increased in Zinder. The disturbingly 
high percentage of stunted children in Zinder (59%) is comparable to that found in the 
last survey in June 2011 (SMART Niger 2011), suggesting that it is indeed accurate. The 
evaluation team is unable to comment on why stunting has steadily increased in this 
region. Further research is required to better understand the trend in Zinder. 
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Within the entire program area, 31.3% of children 0-59 months are underweight. The 
comparison with baseline results shows a statistically significant improvement in the 
overall intervention area (from 41% to 31.3%), and the final rate is even lower than the 
revised target of 33%. This improvement has been in all regions, but especially in Dosso. 
Figure 10: Comparison of wasting in children aged 0 to 59 months (Weight for height <-2 
SD), baseline and endline surveys 
Figure 8: Percentage of children aged 6 to 59 months with stunted growth (Height for age <-2SD), by 
survey round and region 
Figure 9: Percentage of underweight children aged 0 to 59 months (Weight for age <-2 SD), by 
survey round and region
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 shows that across the sample, acute malnutrition (wasting) for children under 5 years old 
at the time of the final survey was 22% lower than baseline levels (4 percentage point 
reduction). In Zinder, wasting levels were more than halved (from baseline 21% to 9% at 
the final survey); while in Tahoua, the percentage of children suffering from acute 
malnutrition increased by five percentage points. 
Figure 10: Comparison of wasting in children aged 0 to 59 months (Weight for height <-2 
SD), baseline and endline surveys 
The Zinder region’s chronic malnutrition, and that of Tahoua for acute malnutrition, are 
exceptions to positive evolution of the nutritional status of children in program 
operational areas. In the Zinder region, this could be explained by the very poor, difficult 
conditions of access to safe drinking water exacerbated by insecurity. The increase in 
wasting observed in Tahoua could be related to the time of year the data was collected; 
final survey data was collected in Tahoua during the “hungry season” (“soudure”)—
baseline data was not. 
Figure 11: Percentage of women with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 by region and survey round 
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The third impact indicator selected by PROSAN consists of the percentage of women of 
childbearing age with a chronic energy deficiency characterized by a body mass index 
(BMI) below 18.5 kg/m2. The evolution of this indicator shows deterioration in the 
nutritional status of women of childbearing age in the entire area covered by the program, 
and in each individual region (Figure 11). 
Group discussions with women of childbearing age in the qualitative survey highlighted 
some factors that may be involved and require deepening. These include an overload of 
domestic work that leaves women little time for proper care of their health and nutrition 
of their children, problems of poverty that affect women more than men (for example, 
lack of land, income-generating activities), closely-spaced pregnancies, heightened 
maternal health risk due to remote health facilities without adequate capacity to provide 
pre- and post-natal care; poor hygiene and sanitation (lack of drinking water, latrines), 
and a high vulnerability to infectious diseases (malaria, diarrhea, etc.). 
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B. SO2 Intermediate results. 
IR 2.1. Targeted households have improved access to primary health care. To 
improve access of vulnerable populations in their area of operation, PROSAN officials 
have implemented a number of strategies including the renovation or construction of 
health infrastructure and facilitation of training for appropriate management and training 
of community workers on the actions needed to prevent malnutrition and infection 
(essential nutrition actions). 
The results of impact indicators for health practices and nutrition at the household level 
have shown some slow improvement to chronic malnutrition, although some of the 
deeper causes of chronic malnutrition have not yet been adequately taken into account 
(hygiene and sanitation, improving living conditions of women, etc.). Several 
intermediate results of PROSAN indicate positive health and nutrition behavior change 
for women. 
The percentage of mothers with children under two years old (U2) who visited antenatal 
clinics at any time during their last pregnancy has increased throughout the intervention 
area (from 60 to 91%) and in all three regions (Figure 12). The percentage of mothers 
who attended four or more ANC visits is significantly higher for women who participated 
in PROSAN and PROSAN/ISAN compared with mothers who received no training from 
either program. A statistical difference between program participants and non￾participants is also present for mothers of U2 children who have attended an ANC visit at 
least once. Both indicators suggest the programs have positively influenced mothers’ 
ANC attendance. 
Overall, 91% In Dosso region, 99% of mothers of U2 children reported at least one ANC 
visit. The mean number of prenatal visits is statistically higher in areas covered by 
PROSAN (4 visits) compared with women who have also benefited from ISAN (3.7 
visits) and those who did not participate in any training provided by the two programs 
(Figure 14). 
Figure 12: Comparison of women receiving any antenatal visits, baseline and final surveys
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Figure 13: Comparison of mothers with any ANC to mothers with 4 or more ANC visits, by SO2 
participation category 
Figure 14: Mean number of antenatal visits for women of children under 24 months, by SO2 
participation category 
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The percentage of mothers of U2 children who received iron supplementation during 
their last pregnancy has dramatically increased compared with baseline data, and now 
exceeds the program’s 80% target in all three regions of operation (Figure 15). This level 
is highest in Zinder (95 %) followed respectively by Tahoua (91%) and Dosso (86%). 
The percentage point increase for all regions since the baseline survey is large; data from 
Tahoua shows the greatest increase. 
Figure 15: Comparison of iron supplementation for mothers of U2 children, baseline 
and final surveys
The percentage of mothers of U2 children who received vitamin A capsules within eight 
weeks after delivery also increased considerably, especially in Zinder where the rate is 
80%, corresponding to what is recommended for an impact on the public health of 
micronutrient interventions (Figure 16). 
Figure 16: Comparison of women who received vitamin A post partum, baseline and 
final surveys 
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More than three-fourths of 
mothers of children under 
two years old who were 
familiar with Vitamin A 
capsules, reported receiving 
the capsules (Figure 17). 
Data show that a 
statistically significant 
higher percentage of 
women (80%) who 
participated in both 
PROSAN and ISAN 
programs reported receiving 
Vitamin A capsules 
compared with mothers 
who did not receive training 
from either program. 
However, at 70% the level 
of consumption of vitamin 
A is not negligible for 
women who did not receive 
training from either program. 
The high levels of health-promoting behaviors among women participating in both 
PROSAN and ISAN suggests the cumulative effects of reinforcing health and 
nutrition messages over time to increase the positive impact on behavior changes. 
IR 2.2 Targeted households have improved health and nutrition behaviors: 
Infant and young child feeding practices 
Figure 17: Percentage of mothers who received vitamin A post 
partum, by SO2 participation category
Data only calculated for U2 mothers who are familiar with the 
Vitamin A capsule (71 % of all mothers of children U2. 
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The rate of exclusive breastfeeding of infants under six months is high, at nearly 80% in 
the overall sample (Table 14). It is particularly and significantly higher in Dosso (96%) 
compared with the other two regions (80% Zinder and 72% Tahoua). This rate is much 
higher than the national level and than that found in most countries of the region. 
Similarly, the percentage of infants who were breastfed within the first hours after birth is 
close to 80% across the entire program area; the percentage is significantly higher in 
Zinder (78%) compared with the other two regions. 
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While no statistical comparisons were carried out, Figure 18 shows that the percentage of 
mothers who reported that they practiced exclusive breastfeeding for children six months 
and younger almost doubled between the baseline and final surveys (41% versus 79%). 
The percentage of mothers who reported breastfeeding their infant within the first hour of 
birth increased similarly (Figure 19). These behaviors are often faced with very strong 
social taboos and the resulting changes suggest effective communication on the part of 
PROSAN and other partners. 
Figure 18: Exclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months), by survey round and region
Table 14: IYCF practices, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% of children aged 0-5 months exclusively 
breastfed 72.4 95.5a 79.3b 78.6 
n 127 44 58 229 
% of children 0-24 months breastfed within first 
hour 61.1 61.3 77.9a,b 65.1 
n 460 173 199 832 
% of children 6-24 months consuming minimum 
number of meals 70.8 82.4a 70.7b 73.4 
n 298 125 123 546 
 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
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Figure 19: Infants breastfed within the first hour after birth, by survey round 
and region
Data in Table 15 show that feeding practices for infants and young children are better for 
households who received support from PROSAN and ISAN compared with households 
who only participated in PROSAN activities, or who had no support from the two 
programs. The results of this table are very important in terms of long-term impacts and 
sustainability. The results suggest positive cumulative impact of training over time. 
Adoption rates are higher in “old” communities. These results suggest that communities 
continue to adopt best practices over time, and that continued training in communities has 
had a cumulative positive impact. It is also very important to note the high level of 
reported adoption of all practices, even among households who received no training. 
These results likely reflect that the training provided by PROSAN, as well as other 
government and non-government programs, has increased households’ awareness of 
appropriate child feeding practices. It should also be emphasized that these are self￾reporting results, and the prevalence of actual practices of appropriate child feeding 
behaviors are likely to be substantially lower than these figures. 
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Table 15: IYCF practices, by SO2 participation category
No 
training 
SO2 
Training 
(PROSAN) 
SO2 Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
% of children aged 0-5 months 
exclusively breastfed 80.2 67.2 86.8b 78.6 
n 86 67 76 229 
% of children 0-24 months 
breastfed within first hour 61.5 63.0 72.8a,b 65.1 
n 377 219 235 832 
 
 
% of children 6-24 months 
consuming minimum number of 
meals 
68.6 75.2a 79.7a 73.3 
n 258 141 148 547 
 
a
different from HHs without any training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from new MYAP areas at 0.10 significance level 
Immunization coverage 
Immunization coverage of children against major diseases that contribute to infant and 
child mortality (tuberculosis, polio, whooping cough, measles and yellow fever) is high—
over 80% in all regions for all types of vaccine (
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Table 16: Percentage of children 12-24 months who have received vaccinations, by region
). The percentage of children 12-24 months old who have received DTCoq and BCG 
vaccinations is significantly higher for household who participated in program activities 
versus households who did not (Table 17). Vaccination rates for polio, rougeole, and 
yellow fever do not appear to improve relative to length of program participation or 
presence. 
The percentage of children 1 to 2 years old that were fully immunized is low (less than 
50%). Results from the qualitative findings indicate that this is usually due to the fact that 
women tend to forget to return after some time to finalize the immunization cycle. 
Communication should be focused on sensitizing mothers to complete the program. 
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Table 16: Percentage of children 12-24 months who have received vaccinations, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
BCG 95.9 96.2 83.5a,b 93.0
n 241 78 97 416
Polio 98.8 100.0 100.0 99.3
n 241 79 102 422
DTCoq 88.6 98.6a
88.5b
90.6
n 201 73 87 361
Rougeole 87.7 90.1 87.5 88.1
n 211 71 88 370
Yellow fever 82.7 85.5 78.8 82.3
n 202 69 85 356
% of children aged 12-24 months full vaccinated 
(filters out children who said DNK to any of the 
vaccinations)
40.8 48.5 30.9 40.2 
n 157 66 68 291 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
Table 17: Vaccinations, by SO2 participation category
No 
training 
SO2 
Training 
(PROSAN) 
SO2 Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
BCG 90.5 97.2a
94.4 93.0
n 199 109 108 416
Polio 98.5 100.0 100.0 99.3
n 204 110 107 422
DTCoq 84.4 93.6a
98.0a
90.6
n 167 94 101 361
Rougeole 86.0 91.8 88.9 88.1
n 171 98 99 370
Yellow fever 81.2 84.2 82.3 82.3
n 165 95 96 356
% of children aged 12-24 months 
fully- vaccinatedc 32.8 45.1 47.6a 40.2 
n 125 82 84 291 
a
different from HHs without any training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from new MYAP areas at 0.10 significance level 
c
filters out children who said DNK to any of the vaccinations
Diarrhea incidence and treatment 
The incidence of diarrhea is still very strong throughout the program area where 45% of 
children experienced an episode during the two weeks preceding the survey. The 
situation has not improved since this figure has increased from 43% at the time of the 
baseline survey. The incidence of diarrhea is linked to poor hygiene and the unfavorable 
sanitation environment for the vast majority of people living in program areas for those 
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who are chronically vulnerable—women and children under five years of age. 
The incidence of diarrhea is significantly lower for children in households that 
participated in PROSAN and ISAN than for children in households that did not 
participate in either program (Table 18). This could be due to the long-term promotion of 
diarrhea prevention in those sites. 
Table 18: Diarrhea incidence and treatment, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% of children experiencing diarrhea in previous two 
weeks 54.4 36.4a 32.7a 45.4 
n 456 173 199 828
% of children experiencing diarrhea that continued to 
breastfeed 98.1 95.1 100.0 97.9 
n 216 61 60 337
Amount of breastmilk fed to affected child
More than normal 29.4 31.0 27.1 29.3
Same as normal 37.9 39.7 44.1 39.3
Less than normal 27.0 27.6 28.8 27.4
DNK 5.7 1.7 0.0 4.0
n 211 58 59 328
% of children experiencing diarrhea that continued to 
drink water 97.1 93.9 98.1 96.7 
n 205 49 52 306
Amount of water fed to affected child
More than normal 51.8 46.7 46.2 50.0
Same as normal 29.1 33.3 40.4 31.8
Less than normal 17.6 20.0 11.5 16.9
DNK 1.5 0.0 1.9 1.4
n 199 45 52 296
% of children experiencing diarrhea that continued 
receiving food 93.7 89.8 80.8 90.8 
n 205 49 52 306
Frequency of feeding
More than normal 19.9 15.6 8.0 17.2
Same as normal 42.3 33.3 24.0 37.8
Less than normal 34.7 46.7 56.0 40.2
DNK 3.1 4.4 12.0 4.8
n 196 45 50 291 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
Among mothers with children experiencing an episode of diarrhea, 69% do not decrease 
the amount of breastmilk offered to the child, 82% increase or offer the same amount of 
water to the ill child, and 55% offer the same or an increased amount of food to the ill 
child. 
With respect to treatment for diarrhea, across the program area the vast majority of 
mothers (83%) have utilized the assistance of a health worker (Table 19). Just over half 
of women (54%) received oral rehydration salts (ORS). Very few (12.5%) used the sweet 
and saline (SES). 
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Table 19: Diarrhea counseling received, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% of children experiencing diarrhea for 
whom treatment was sought 73.8 76.2 81.5 75.5 
n 248 63 65 376 
Source of treatment 
Health worker 82.3 90.6 79.5 83.2 
First Aid Trainers 1.0 1.9 2.0 1.3 
Matrons 3.8 0.8 2.0 3.0 
Village facilitator 0.0 0.0 2.6 0.5 
Pharmacy 1.3 0.0 2.0 1.2 
Marabouts/Bokas 0.0 0.8 0.5 0.2 
Neighbors/parents 11.6 11.0 14.9 12.1 
Other 4.8 0.0 4.1 3.9 
n 185 48 54 287 
Treatment received 
None 16.3 11.6 10.0 14.5 
ESS 13.1 11.3 11.6 12.5 
ORS packet 54.9 58.9 44.8 53.8 
Ruwan dawo 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.7 
Millet based solution 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.1 
Concoction/infusion 2.3 4.8 2.2 2.7 
Medicine 38.8 52.0 37.3 40.7 
Zinc tablets 4.7 8.1 26.8 9.1 
Other 4.0 0.0 7.3 3.9 
DNK 2.9 2.1 0.5 2.3 
248 62 65 341 
Two-fifths of children (41%) received medical treatment. It was not clear if they received 
antibiotics or if the diarrhea is a simple diarrhea. However, health workers tend to use 
antibiotics excessively to treat diarrhea. During visits to health centers (CSI) this practice 
was observed, emphasizing the need for district staff to address this issue during IMCI 
post-training and supervision. 
The incidence of diarrhea is significantly lower for children whose households 
participated in PROSAN/ISAN activities than for children of households newer to the 
program (PROSAN only) and for children of households who did not participate in either 
program (
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Table 20: Diarrhea incidence and treatment, by SO2 participation category
). 
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Table 20: Diarrhea incidence and treatment, by SO2 participation category
No 
training 
SO2 
Training 
(PROSAN) 
SO2 Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
% of children experiencing diarrhea 
in previous two weeks 50.1 49.1 34.5a,b 45.4 
n 375 216 235 828 
% of children experiencing diarrhea 
who continued to breastfeed 99.4 96.7 96.2 97.9 
n 169 90 79 337 
Amount of breastmilk fed to affected 
child 
More than normal 27.2 28.4 35.1 29.3 
Same as normal 45.6 29.5 37.8 39.3 
Less than normal 23.1 36.4 25.7 27.4 
DNK 4.1 5.7 1.4 4.0 
n 169 88 74 328 
% of children experiencing diarrhea 
that continued receiving water 96.0 100.0 95.2 96.7 
n 150 92 63 306 
Amount of water fed to affected 
child 
More than normal 44.4 57.0 53.3 50.0 
Same as normal 40.3 17.2 31.7 31.8 
Less than normal 15.3 22.6 11.7 16.9 
DNK 0.0 3.2 3.3 1.4 
n 144 93 60 296 
% of children experiencing diarrhea 
that continued receiving food 87.3 95.7a 92.1 90.8 
n 150 92 63 306 
Frequency of feeding 
More than normal 20.6 14.8 13.1 17.2 
Same as normal 41.8 31.8 36.1 37.8 
Less than normal 30.5 53.4 44.3 40.2 
DNK 7.1 0.0 6.6 4.8 
n 141 88 61 291 
a
different from HHs without any training at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from new MYAP areas at 0.10 significance level 
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Table 21: Diarrhea counseling received, by SO2 participation category
No 
training 
SO2 
Training 
(PROSAN) 
SO2 Training 
(PROSAN+ISAN) Total 
% of children experiencing diarrhea 
for whom treatment was sought 76.6 72.6 77.8 75.5 
n 188 106 81 376 
Source of treatment 
Health and sanitation training 83.6 89.1 75.1 83.2 
First Aid Trainers 0.6 0.0 4.6 1.3 
Matrons 3.2 3.6 1.7 3.0 
Village facilitators 0.0 0.4 1.7 0.5 
Pharmacies 1.6 0.0 1.7 1.2 
Marabouts/Bokas 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.2 
Neighbors/parents 11.8 6.1 19.9 12.1 
Other 3.7 6.2 1.4 3.9 
n 148 77 63 287 
Treatment received 
None 11.8 17.3 17.0 14.5 
ESS 11.9 13.5 12.6 12.5 
ORS packet 56.1 52.0 50.9 53.8 
Ruwan dawo 0.2 2.3 0.0 0.7 
Millet based solution 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 
Concoction/infusion 1.6 3.0 4.7 2.7 
Medicine 41.8 35.7 44.7 40.7 
Zinc tablets 8.7 9.8 9.0 9.1 
Other 3.7 2.3 6.3 3.9 
DNK 0.4 6.8 1.1 2.3 
188 106 81 341 
Health Infrastructure and Capacity Strengthening 
PROSAN has used Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) an approach to 
improving child health that focuses on the well-being of the whole child. IMCI aims to 
reduce death, illness and disability, and to promote improved growth and development 
among children under five years of age. IMCI includes both preventive and curative 
elements that are implemented by families and communities as well as by health 
facilities. 
PROSAN management have implemented a number of IMCI strategies including the 
renovation or construction of health infrastructure; facilitation of training for appropriate 
management; and training of community workers on the actions needed to prevent 
malnutrition and infection (essential nutrition actions). 
In most health facilities visited during this evaluation, health workers, and CSI in 
particular, said they had been trained in IMCI, primarily through the support of other 
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partners such as UNICEF, and NGOs such as Médecins World, etc. The problems they 
face include out of stock drugs such as anti-malarial drugs and packets for the 
management of diarrhea, or inadequate supervision by the health district. 
The officers of health huts, including a significant number of nurses, also stressed similar 
problems: limited equipment, limited means of transport for themselves and for the 
evacuation of patients, shortages of medicines, difficult living conditions (drinking water, 
housing, motorcycle, etc.), and failure of supervision. 
In some villages community-based distribution of micronutrients was not performed due 
to social discord between the inhabitants of nearby villages, or sometimes due to out of 
stock of micronutrients. 
IMCI requires a number of conditions to achieve the desired results. All of PROSAN’s 
strategies are relevant and contribute to improving child health. Health services should be 
better organized and better supervised at the health district level. In the same vein, it 
appears that the remuneration of CSI for outreach activities may be prejudicial to the 
project’s sustainability. The evaluators suggest better communication for roles and 
responsibilities by both the Ministry of Health at the national and local levels and by the 
project, PROSAN. For the betterment of the program, the Ministry of Health should be 
providing these outreach services, with an emphasis on the prolonged sustainability of the 
program beyond the life of the project. 
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C. SO3 Activities and Achievements 
Community resilience is achieved when community members and households are 
educated regarding natural hazards and shocks; are empowered to mitigate risk; and have 
social networks to fall back upon. The goal is to protect the community’s resilience 
through improved capacity to identify and respond to recurrent and future shocks. By 
doing so, communities and households will be more resilient to shocks that threaten their 
livelihoods. 
PROSAN sought to decrease community and household vulnerabilities to natural shocks 
through increased community preparedness and improved organizational response 
capacity. The exposure to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and disease 
outbreaks is one of the key factors contributing to household susceptibility to food and 
livelihood insecurity. In order to accomplish this objective, PROSAN has identified three 
intermediate results: 
IR 3.1: Target communities have operational emergency early warning systems. 
IR 3.2: Community assets are protected during shocks. 
IR 3.3: Local early warning and crisis management structures have demonstrably 
enhanced their administrative, managerial, leadership and accountability skills. 
The approach used under SO3 is premised on the principle that by focusing 
implementation activities at the village level to increase institutional capacity in disaster 
preparedness, community engagement in disaster preparedness and awareness would 
increase. Through preparedness planning and awareness activities, communities and 
households would more likely take measures that would save lives. 
Capacity of the communities to anticipate and manage crises through SCAP-RU
Community-based SCAP-RUs have been established in all the program areas. In the 
Konni areas, the effectiveness of these village-level institutions is due in large part to the 
field support provided by agents of ISCV, the local NGO contracted by CARE to 
implement PROSAN's community level activities. In Tanout/Mirriah and 
Dogongoutchi/Loga, due to delays in the recruitment and training of new field workers 
for new villages, SCAP-Rus started later. 
Selection of members 
Members are usually selected during a general assembly of the village from a list of 
volunteers. Approximately 70% of SCAP-RU members are also members of other 
committees. SCAP-RU members are accepted by communities and enjoy some popular 
and technical legitimacy. However, the most vulnerable members of the community are 
rarely represented. 
Operationalization of the SCAP-RU 
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• Most members know their roles and responsibilities. 
• There exists little feedback from the communes and the technical services. This 
discourages participation by the members of the SCAP-RU. 
• There is a lack of standardized forms for collecting data. 
PROSAN created oversight village committees to supervise and coordinate all activities 
undertaken in the village. In Konni/ Illéla they are called ‘CUSA’ and in the CRS 
departments of Tanout/Mirriah and Doutchi/Loga they are called Village Development 
Committees (VDC). CUSA and VDC are the driving forces behind the execution of 
PROSAN activities. The presidents of the VDC or CUSA tend to be members of the 
SCAP-RU. 
Village Chiefs and their roles in the various activities 
It is important to note that the position of village chief is the only legal institution in the 
village recognized by the State. Legal documents confer upon chiefs the authority and 
responsibility for managing civil conflicts and managing village infrastructure. 
According to the key informant interviews, many committee members tend to be relatives 
or friends of the village chiefs. 
SCAP-RU collects information on food security, health and nutrition, agriculture and 
livestock production, environment and social relations, and different levels of alert 
identified by the community. By providing micro-level data, they reinforce the national 
early warning system, which compensates for the lack of government extension agents 
who would normally be responsible for collecting crop production information at the 
village level. 
Observatories for Monitoring Vulnerability (OMV) 
These are made up of representatives of the technical services (agriculture, livestock and 
health), the village chiefs, and representatives of the SCAP-RU. They meet twice a year 
and direct the meetings. 
In principle, communes were supposed to summarize SCAP-RU reports to be integrated 
into the National Early Warning System. In reality most communes lack the human, 
technical, and financial resources to do this job effectively. Nonetheless, SCAP-RU 
reports have helped improve decision-making in some of the communes. Some municipal 
counselors have used the reports to plan development activities. 
Protection of community assets during shocks 
Village-based response mechanisms have been developed in 80% of the sites surveyed by 
the qualitative team. Some committee members and other villagers were cultivating a 
communal field, the harvest to be used for the community contribution to the FARN for 
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feeding malnourished children in the village. In another case, the village cereal bank is 
being restocked with contributions from heads of households. 
Administrative, managerial, leadership and accountability skills of SCAP-RU 
There exists little evidence that these skills have improved. However, the alerts and 
information provided by the SCAP-RU help the community meet and discuss issues in 
order to gain consensus on issues at stake. SCAP-RU members conduct evaluations using 
agreed upon indicators, including heath, social interactions in villages, purchase prices of 
the principal agricultural product in the area, and the state of natural resources (pasture 
availability, environment management). Analysis of these data leads to discussions within 
committees as well as in communities. 
Focus group discussions and key-informant interviews reveal a real willingness to deal 
with the risks and effects of natural disasters. The lessons learned from past disasters and 
especially the increased awareness gained from program communication campaigns, 
from travel, and from increased access to mass media, represent real promise that 
communities are willing to take more responsibility for their own development. 
Mismanagement and theft are reported to be major problems in the surveyed 
communities. There is a need to develop more activities for greater transparency, 
accountability, and good governance. 
Technical agents from PROSAN are perceived in many villages as top-level managers to 
whom they should obey. Greater efforts can be made in this area to increase village self￾sufficiency and empowerment. 
D. Program Impacts 
Program impacts on household food security status are measure by the following 
indicators: 
• Household diet diversity score (HDDS) 
• Months of adequate household food provisioning (MAHFP) 
• Household production of major food crops (millet, sorghum, cowpea) 
• % U5 children stunted (HAZ < -2 sd) 
• % U5 children underweight (WAZ < -2sd) 
The HDDS is a proxy indicator of household food access. It is computed by adding up 
the total number of different food categories consumed by the household in the 24 hours 
prior to the interview, out of a total of 12 food categories. Table 22 shows the values of 
the HDDS from the three rounds of household survey, and by type of support provided by 
the program. The first panel of the table shows the HDDS values by survey round. After 
exhibiting a large increase from the baseline to the mid-term survey, the HDDS value in 
the final survey is lower than that of the baseline. For interpretation of these results it is 
important to note that the final household survey was conducted during the hungry 
when all households have lower HDDS values than at other times of the year. The 
difference between the final survey and the earlier rounds may be due to the different 
seasons in which the information was collected, or to any of a number of exogenous 
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variables constituting the declining food situation, including, for example, natural 
disasters (droughts and floods), lack of infrastructure and lack of government support for 
the Food for Work program. 
The second panel of the table shows the HDDS values for households that were not 
supported by the program (received no training and did not participate in CFW), those 
that received training only, those that received CFW only, and those that received CFW 
and training. The households that received any type of program support had HDDS 
statistically higher than households that received no support, but the magnitude of 
differences are quite small in. 
The last panel of the table examines the impact of different types of training provided by 
PROSAN which are intended to influence household food security, namely trainings in 
SO1 and SO2 program areas. Only households that receive training in both SO1 and SO2 
exhibited significantly higher HDDS than those that received no training. 
Table 22: Mean HDDS by survey round and type of support provided 
HDDS 
(mean) n 
Baseline 3.8 
Mid-term 5.2 
Final (total sample) 2.9 1,627 
Type of support provided by PROSAN 
 No support 2.6 265 
 Training only 3.0a
 455 
 CFW only 2.9a
 178 
 Training+CFW 3.0a
 729 
Type of training provided by PROSAN 
 No training 2.8 482 
 SO1 only 2.8 297 
 SO2 only 3.0 121 
 SO1+SO2 3.1b
 727 
a
different from no support at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from no training at 0.10 significance level 
Table 23 provides information about the MAHFP indicator by survey round and by types 
of support provided to the households by PROSAN. This indicator has shown a strong 
increasing trend over the survey rounds, increasing by over 60 percent from the baseline 
(5.5) to the final value (9.0). However, households that received program support had 
somewhat lower values of MAHFP than those that did not receive support, although these 
differences are very small in magnitude. 
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Table 23: Mean MAHFP by survey round, and type of support provided
MAHFP 
(mean) n 
Baseline 5.5 
Mid-term 8.4 
Final (total sample) 9.0 1,627 
Type of support provided by 
PROSAN 
 No support 9.5 265 
 Training only 9.0a
 455 
 CFW only 8.9a
 178 
 Training+CFW 8.8a
 729 
Type of training provided by 
PROSAN 
 No training 9.2 482 
 SO1 only 9.2 297 
 SO2 only 9.0 121 
 SO1+SO2 8.7b
 727 
a
different from no support at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from no training at 0.10 significance level 
Another indicator of household food security which is extremely important in the context 
of rural Niger is the total household production of major food crops—millet, sorghum, 
and cowpea. Household production of these crops per year are reported in Table 24 and 
shown graphically in Figure 20. After exhibiting significant increases in production from 
the baseline to the mid-term survey rounds, the level of household production of these 
three crops is actually lower in the final round than in the baseline. It is important to note 
that these figures are averages for all households in the survey, both program participants 
and non-participants. However, as shown above, production levels of these three crops 
are significantly higher for households that received SO1 support compared with those 
that did not receive support. 
Table 24: Household production of food crops (millet, sorghum, cowpea), kg/HH, by survey 
round and district 
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
Baseline 1,393 1,704 682 1,400 
Mid-term 1,472 2,446 1,129 1,670 
FInal 1,181 1,463 1,058 1,207 
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Figure 20: Household production of major food crops (millet, sorghum, cowpea), 
kg/HH, by survey round and district 
Table 25: Anthropometric indicators of U5 children, by region 
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total 
% 
children N 
% 
children N 
% 
children N % children N 
Stunting (HAZ < -2sd) 
 Female 27.7 303 34.1a
 293 52.8a,b 159 35.5 755 
 Male 31.2 295 32.5 271 64.7a,b 170 39.4 736 
 Both 29.4 598 33.3 564 59.0a,b 329 37.4 1,491 
Underweight (WAZ < -2sd) 
 Female 21.0 281 29.7a
 195 35.9a
 142 27.2 618 
 Male 29.3 287 34.2 199 48.1a,b 154 35.3 640 
 Both 25.2 568 32.0a
 394 42.2a,b 296 31.3 1,258 
Wasting (WHZ < -2sd) 
 Female 12.5 273 9.3 183 4.5a,b 132 9.7 588 
 Male 22.6 283 15.2a
 178 13.0a
 146 18.1 607 
 Both 17.6 556 12.2a
 361 9.0a
 278 14.0 1,195 
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
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Table 26: Percentage of women 15 – 49 with BMI < 18.5, by region
Tahoua Dosso Zinder Total
% Women 15-49 w BMI < 18.5 20.8 12.8a
19.6b
17.7
n 452 360 199 1,011
a
different from Tahoua at 0.10 significance level 
b
different from Dosso at 0.10 significance level 
Finally, Table 27 shows trends in the key program outcome and impact indicators over 
the three rounds of household surveys. The first panel of the table shows outcome 
indicators related to household adoption of practices promoted by the program. Adoption 
of natural resource management (NRM) practices and sustainable agricultural production 
practices shows a large increase from the baseline to the final survey. At the time of the 
final survey, essentially all farmers had reported adopting at least one recommended 
activity in these two areas. Adoption of agro-processing activities supported by the 
program shows a substantial increase from the baseline to the mid-term, but then a slight 
decrease from the mid-term to the final survey round. Adoption of recommended 
agricultural marketing practices shows a large increase, almost doubling from the time of 
the baseline to the mid-term, but then falls back to the baseline level by the time of the 
final survey. 
Adoption of recommended child feeding practices is summarized by the percentage of 
children 0-6 months exclusively breastfed. This indicator jumped from 26 percent of all 
children 0-6 months in the mid-term, to almost 80 percent by the time of the final survey 
round. This high figure reflects a dramatic increase in mothers’ increased awareness of 
appropriate child feeding practices, but because it is based on self-reporting information, 
it may not correspond to changes in actual behaviors. 
The second panel of Table 27 shows changes in program impact indicators. Total 
production of the three major food crops is slightly lower in the final survey round than in 
the baseline, after an increase in the mid-term round. The HDDS is also lower in the final 
round compared with both the baseline and mid-term, but this difference may be 
explained by the fact that the final survey was conducted during the hungry season, when 
households generally have less diverse diets than at other times in the year. And, despite 
the project’s best efforts, droughts and lack of infrastructure and lack of government 
support for Food for Work severely affected production during various periods and in 
particular areas, as it has affected household food access, above. 
The number of months of adequate household food provisioning (MAHFP) has increased 
substantially over the life of the program, by 36% from the baseline to the mid-term, and 
an additional 7 percent from the mid-term to the final survey. Finally, the anthropometric 
measurements of children (stunting and underweight rates) improved slightly from the 
baseline to the final survey rounds. 
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In summary, the survey results show that the program has supported significant changes 
in behaviors of individuals and households over the life of the program. In particular, the 
adoption of natural resource management and improved agricultural production practices 
recommended by the program has increased significantly. The fact that households that 
received SO1 training had significantly higher production than households who did not 
receive training suggests that the adoption of these practices has had positive impact on 
farming households. This is true even though the reported household production of major 
food crops for all surveyed households was lower in the final survey than in the baseline. 
The nutritional status of children, which reflects the combined impacts of all program 
interventions directed toward household food security as well as many other non-program 
factors, has improved by from 6 percent in terms of long-term impact (stunting rate) to 
almost 30 percent in shorter term effects (underweight rate). For more detail on LOA 
target values for Table 27, see Appendix A. 
Table 27: Program outcome and impact indicators, by survey round 
Baseline Mid-term Final 
Outcome indicators 
% HH Adopting of at least on improved practice: 
 NRM 75.2 80.1 97.0 
 Sustainable agriculture 74.5 76.0 98.0 
 Agro-processing 9.5 48.0 40.9 
 Marketing 23.1 42.1 21.7 
 Exclusive breastfeedinga
n.a 26.0 78.6 
Impact Indicators 
 Major food crop production (kg/HH) 1,400 1,670 1,207 
 HDDS (score) 3.8 5.2 2.9 
 MAHFP (months) 5.5 8.4 9.0 
 Stunting (% HAZ < -2 sd) 39.9 37.4 
 Underweight (% WAZ < -2 sd) 44.7 31.3 
aChildren 0-6 months who received only breastmilk (or ORS) in 24 hours prior to survey. 
Figure 21: Adoption of recommended practices, by survey round
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Figure 22: Household production of staple food crops (millet, sorghum cowpea), by survey round
Figure 23: Mean HDDS and MAHFP, by survey round
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Figure 24: Comparison of stunted and underweight children, baseline and final survey
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III. PROSAN PROCESS ASSESSMENT 
A. Overview of management systems 
The ban on Food for Work in 2008 that delayed implementation of PROSAN created 
challenges for the overall management of PROSAN at its earlier stage: revision and re￾approval of program activities, staffing turnovers, and travel restrictions in some areas. 
Despite these constraints, the evaluation team acknowledges the programming results that 
have been demonstrated during the implementation of the program. 
There are, however, specific issues that came up over and over during the evaluation 
process and that need to be addressed: 
• Under present conditions the staff is overworked, especially at the lowest level of 
services providers (field agents). Difficulties in identifying qualified individuals 
to fill vacant positions and rapid turn-over has resulted in overtaxed staff with 
insufficient time to remedy perceived problems and implement new approaches. 
• Some aspects of program management seem to constrain operations. A case in 
point is the monthly financial reporting and accountability requirement. This 
measure helps to keep track of financial flows within THE MYAP but could also 
be limiting attainment of program targets. 
• An aspect of program management as reported by service providers are the 
numerous changes being made to reporting requirements. This leaves staff in 
suspense about what could be coming next. A lot of staff’s management time is 
expended trying to make adjustments to the changes. 
• CRS and its partners will need to pay attention to competitive staff remuneration 
if it is to avoid a high turnover. Excessive turnover will potentially undermine the 
ability to consolidate achievements and aim for excellence. This will not be 
possible if human resources and effort must be devoted to getting new staff up to 
speed. 
B. Monitoring and Evaluation 
Monitoring is considered to be a collection of specific indicators in order to inform 
management and key stakeholders about the achievement of objectives. Monitoring 
should be used to adjust certain aspects of the program if this is considered necessary. 
Evaluation is an analysis of an activity in order to inform program managers and 
stakeholders about the achievement of objectives and other results and the relevance, 
effectiveness, and efficiency of the activity. There is strong indication that the program is 
offering relevant services and that many of the stated objectives are met. 
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CRS and its partners utilized primary and secondary data collection methods in 
monitoring key indicators. Primary data collection methods included information 
gathered by the on-going activities of the Monitoring Unit. Partners are required to 
provide CRS quarterly and yearly reports that include information such as production 
levels, the number of training participants, and performance of activities. However, the 
observed monitoring system focuses more on input and process indicators. 
The current monitoring and evaluation system is complex, and it has generated a large 
volume of data. However, the analysis of the data and the integration of this analysis into 
program management have not been maximized and should be expanded. A GIS 
component should be added to the system in order to revamp data collection, analysis, 
and reporting systems. Such changes will increase efficiently and effectiveness of 
program monitoring. 
There is an urgent need to improve the capacity of the monitoring system for close 
attention to the provision of management information, both to support the implementation 
of the program’s goals and to feed back into the design of new initiatives in changing 
environments. The Evaluation team found the M&E database hard to manage, making 
updating of information cumbersome. Objectives and indicators should have been 
discussed at great length in consultation with beneficiaries and stakeholders, so that 
objectives and targets are jointly "owned." Many partners felt that some of the indicators 
were “parachuted.” 
There are exogenous indicators that cover factors outside the control of the program but 
which severely affect the outcome of the program’s current leading indicators. Concerns 
to monitor both the program and its wider environment call for a data collection capacity 
outside the program, placing an additional burden on the program's M&E effort. A recent 
example of droughts in the program area demonstrates the importance of monitoring risk 
indicators. 
Given the greater transparency now expected of the development community, CRS and 
its partners need to strengthen the current monitoring system. The quality of record 
keeping in the field should be standardized for better use of the data, and merits careful 
attention. M&E supervisors should examine existing recordkeeping and the reporting 
procedures used to assess the capacity to generate the data that will be needed. At the 
same time, they should explain how and why the indicators will be useful to field, 
intermediate, and senior levels of program management. The inclusion of simple 
household level data linked with key break variables such as the village or parish should 
significantly improve the scope for analysis. One approach is to structure reporting from 
the field so that aggregates or summaries are made at intermediate stages. In this way, 
field staff can see how averages or totals for specific villages, or districts, enable 
comparisons to be drawn and fieldwork improved. The household data available at the 
village level should be integrated into the current monitoring system. 
The use of geographic information could improve the efficiency of the Monitoring and 
Evaluation Unit. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a set of computer programs 
used to input, store, analyze and output geographically referenced data. In programs 
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related to livelihood and food security, GIS has become an indispensable tool for 
adequately collecting analyzing multiple parameters involved in monitoring key 
indicators. A good GIS should: boost productivity, improve coordination, create base to 
make better decisions, and enhance service thereby making better use of MYAP 
resources. We recommend that CRS and its partners develop an integrated information 
system enhanced by the use of a GIS as a useful tool in program monitoring and 
evaluation. 
Figure 25: GIS data of households and villages of surveyed sites
Some of the advantages in using GIS in program monitoring and evaluation include: 

 GIS allows a user to tell a visual story: “a picture is worth a thousand words” 

 GIS can help to eliminate ambiguities in the baseline—baseline data can be 
easily integrated in a MYAP district 

 GIS illustrates linkages in related systems which allows for a more 
comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluation by overlaying related 
data sets that are available which can link direct and indirect program impact 

 GIS makes data standardized and more accessible to people with non￾technical backgrounds 

 ‘Before and after’ changes due to program activities are clearly visible, can be 
animated, and are a more convincing representation. 
 
C. Capacity development, partnership and sustainability 
Capacity development is widely acknowledged to be important, but is often poorly 
defined. It entails: 
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 upgrading skills in monitoring and evaluation, which includes: program analysis, 
design of indicators and reporting systems, socioeconomic data collection, and 
information management; 

 improving procedures to create functional systems that seek out and use 
information for decisions; and 

 strengthening organizations to develop skilled staff in appropriate positions, 
accountable for their actions. 
One of the central goals of PROSAN is to increase capacity for beneficiary communities 
to continue and expand program activities after the eventual departure of CRS and its 
partners. The main elements to ensure sustainability over time are the small farmholder 
groups and community actors who are involved in extending program activities on a 
volunteer basis. Most communities believe that their groups will continue to function at 
the end of the program. In addition, neighboring villages and small farmholder 
associations have begun collaborating with each other; this is an area that could be 
greatly expanded in the next MYAP. 
The evaluation team has compiled a set of priorities and recommendations to improve 
program sustainability. To be sustainable, the program must address the issue of droughts 
and explore ways to make water available for both agricultural and domestic use. The 
program should promote the development of water harvesting techniques and small-scale 
irrigation schemes and occasional micro-dam construction in order to increase 
agricultural productivity by reducing rainfall dependence in the drought prone food 
deficit regions. 
D. Resource Management 
Resource management issues were recently thoroughly reviewed in an audit of MYAPS 
in Niger by the Office of the Inspector General. In this report, the auditors found that 
from March through June of FY 2010 some commodities were not available to 
beneficiaries. For example, the auditors found that between December 2009 and March 
2010 over 100 people who had participated in trainings had not received food their 
entitled food distributions. PROSAN consortium reported that lengthy delays in the call￾forward process created periodic shortages in commodity availability, and that the 
program was continually playing “catch-up” with food distributions. This has led to 
breakdowns in distributions to beneficiaries. The auditors’ response to this analysis of the 
problem was that the consortium must adequately incorporate these delays into their 
planning process. They noted that cooperating sponsors are not required to place their call 
forward requests in November, but rather, they are encouraged by Food for Peace to 
place their requests as early as possible. The auditors recommended that Food for Peace 
work with cooperating sponsors to develop and implement plans so that commodities are 
timely available, and to develop a plan to provide food to participants in the distribution 
backlog. The consortium is currently working with Food for Peace on these plans. 
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IV. Conclusions and Recommendations 
In response to high levels of food insecurity in target areas in Niger, CRS and its partners, 
CARE, and HKI initiated a five-year USAID Multi-Year Assistance Program (MYAP). 
The central goal is to reduce food and livelihood insecurity by 2011 for vulnerable 
households in three districts. The strategic objectives are: 
1. To protect and enhance livelihoods of vulnerable households through increased 
agro-pastoral production and improved agro-enterprises; 
2. To enhance human capabilities through improved health and nutritional practices 
in vulnerable in targeted communities; 
3. To protect and enhance the resiliency of target communities through improved 
abilities to identify and respond to recurrent shocks. 
The program seeks to enhance economic opportunities for vulnerable groups through 
increased crop production and income generating activities, and to improve the quality of 
life through better health and nutrition. 
This evaluation is a study aimed at gaining an understanding of how PROSAN has been 
implemented, how its implementation track resulted in changes that the program 
attempted to bring. 
CRS and its partners in Niger have made considerable progress in meeting the majority of 
its objectives. Throughout the evaluation, it has become evident that PROSAN has had 
numerous positive impacts on the lives and livelihoods of participants, despite challenges 
in terms of droughts and floods, an unstable political climate that directly affected the 
Food for Work program, and poor infrastructure and variable access to project 
beneficiaries. Focus groups reported, overall, positive changes in living conditions since 
the beginning of the program. 
The program has successfully increased community awareness regarding the importance 
of early warning systems, improved farming practices and the need to improve nutrition 
practices. 
One of the key lessons learned in the program is that people have increased their trust and 
willingness to engage in group activities and productive community-driven initiatives. 
There is a growing sense of ownership and pride about group activities such as 
habbanaye, vegetable gardening, and Early Warning Groups. Participants feel that they 
are gaining the tools to take charge of their own development activities. 
The program has provided opportunities to increase good governance and management, 
as well as transparency at the village level by forming village level farmer farmers groups 
with elected positions. This is especially important at a time when Niger is undergoing 
political and administrative change and decentralization, when local communities will 
have increasing opportunities to get involved in governance. Another positive aspect is 
that communities are learning how to mobilize resources to manage their own projects 
and extend the program activities in other domains. 
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Beneficiaries have been exposed to many new techniques in agriculture, nutrition, 
hygiene and management that will have lasting effects in improving the quality of life 
beyond the life of the program. 
Food crop production has increased as a result of program initiatives. Technical 
assistance and training was given to smallholder households to promote sustainable 
farming practices, more productive and more diversified farming systems, and improved 
agro-enterprise activities. Agricultural potential was enhanced through the rehabilitation 
of small-scale irrigation and drainage systems, as well as soil and water conservation 
infrastructure utilizing food-for-work (FFW) programs. Irrigation is the most 
transformative agricultural investment option within the three regions, providing farmers 
with extremely productive and profitable new agricultural options, and PROSAN has 
been a major force in providing farmers with access to irrigation within the program area. 
Small- scale irrigation is the key to success in the future, decreasing long vulnerability. 
A high proportion of households that received SO1 training from the program grew 
greater quantities of each of the three staple food crops than those who did not receive 
training. Importantly, the production per household of each of the three crops is 
significantly higher for households that received training than those that did not, 
indicating that the adoption of recommended practices has had a positive impact on 
household production of major food crops. In addition, the production per household of 
training participants in “old” villages is higher (measured by the median) than households 
in the “new” villages. This result supports the argument that over time farmers adopt the 
agricultural practices that provide them with the greatest benefits (measured by 
household production of food crops). 
Adoption rates of all types of agro-processing and group marketing are significantly 
higher for households that have received SO1 training. PROSAN SO2 is to protect and 
enhance the health and nutritional status of vulnerable household members, represented 
particularly by women of reproductive age and children under five, by increasing access 
to quality primary health care and improving household health and nutrition practices and 
sanitary and nutritional coverage in the three targeted regions of Tahoua, Dosso and 
Zinder. 
The results of the quantitative assessment of the nutritional status of children 6 to 59 
months showed an overall rate of chronic malnutrition and chronic lack of growth at 
37.4% for the entire program area. Several intermediate results of PROSAN show an 
increase in positive health and nutrition behavior for women, however, favorable to the 
good health and nutrition of vulnerable groups of the population. For example, survey 
data show increased visits to antenatal clinics and an increase in the percentage of women 
who received iron supplementation, which now exceeds 80%. The rate of exclusive 
breastfeeding of infants under six months is high, at nearly 80% in all three program 
areas. 
Feeding practices for infants and young children are better in areas that received ISAN / 
PROSAN compared with the areas that received only PROSAN support, or had no 
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support from either program. These results suggest positive cumulative impact of training 
over time. 
Immunization coverage of children against major killer diseases (tuberculosis, polio, 
whooping cough, measles and yellow fever) is very good—over 80% in all regions and 
regardless of the type of vaccine. However, the percentage of children from one to two 
years old, who are fully vaccinated is quite low, not even reaching 50%. The program did 
not succeed as hoped in the management of diarrhea, which remains an area of critical 
vulnerability. 
The analysis of the evolution of the nutritional status of children under five years in terms 
of wasting in the intervention area PROSAN shows overall improvement of the latter 
compared with the results of the baseline survey. This could reflect a positive impact of 
PROSAN upon the nutritional status of children. While it is difficult to attribute this 
positive effect exclusively to PROSAN, it can be said that the program has contributed to 
improving this situation in its area of intervention. 
To improve access of vulnerable populations in their area of operation, PROSAN 
officials have implemented a number of strategies including the renovation or 
construction of health infrastructure and facilitation of training for appropriate 
management and training of community workers on the actions needed to prevent 
malnutrition and infection (essential nutrition actions). The results of impact indicators 
and health practices, and nutrition at the household level, have shown some improvement 
even if it is slow, due to chronic malnutrition which has deeper causes, some of which 
have not yet been adequately into account (hygiene and sanitation, improving living 
conditions of women, etc.). 
The status of women is progressively changing as a result of the high level of women’s 
participation in various groups. Women’s visibility and leadership has increased through 
their engagement with the program and their participation in all program activities. This 
is a success story that CRS and its partners should build on for future programming in 
Niger. 
Recommendations 
The following recommendations emerged from a combination of focus group 
discussions, key informant interviews, and the follow-up plenary session with field 
agents, project managers, and stakeholders. During the field assessment, beneficiaries 
were asked to contribute their recommendations to improve the program. The 
recommendations are presented by programmatic sectors. They are designed to enhance 
the impact of future MYAP programs. 
A. Priority Recommendations 
1. Focus more on excellence and impact at the household level. It is clear that the 
program has completed scaling up both geographically and programmatically. 
Everyone in the surveyed districts recognizes that the focus now needs to shift 
more on quality and excellence. But the question remains what does quality mean 
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and how should the program begin to enhance the quality. The monitoring unit 
should focus on that direction. Quality indicators should be identified and 
efficient information gathering tools developed to obtain information about the 
quality (in terms of impacts). Review the format of Monthly, Quarterly, and 
Annual to hold more discussion on the quality of work completed, not only on the 
quantity. A "top-down" personality has evolved in the Program. This has been 
useful in getting the program to where it is now, fully scaled-up on a solid 
foundation. 
Given the need to address the quality of the program, it is time now to give more 
attention to finding best practices and capitalizing on lessons learned. Reward 
staff that practice excellence learning behavior. Staff are recognized and rewarded 
for having completed planned work, and the work has been focused on getting 
outputs produced. Now that it is time to improve the quality of the program, staff 
that are making progress in improving quality with new ideas and best practices 
should be recognized and rewarded. 
2. Future MYAP should prioritize measures that address availability and 
access to water—the number one constraint mentioned by most households. 
More emphasis needs to be placed on water for consumption and small-scale 
irrigation. In addition water harvesting techniques should be promoted. 
3. The adult literacy program is a real success story: there is a lot of enthusiasm for 
it and it increases the likelihood that program activities will be sustainable. In 
addition, it opens new doors for employment in development projects and NGOs 
(controller of CFW, secretary of a committee, etc), and to political parties. Any 
future MYAP should include this component in its activities. 
4. Monitoring and Evaluation 
• There is an urgent need to improve the capacity of the current Monitoring 
and Evaluation Unit for close attention to the provision of management 
information, both to support the implementation of programs goals and to 
feed back into the design of new initiatives in changing environments. The 
current system must be expanded to monitor quality of outputs, adding 
GIS tools. 
• Baseline, midterm, and final evaluations should take place during the same 
time of year and should involve consistent methodologies, It has been 
recommended that the same organization perform all three evaluations. 
• The use of geographic information could improve the efficiency of the 
Monitoring and Evaluation Unit. GIS has become an indispensable tool 
for adequately collecting analyzing multiple parameters involved in 
monitoring key indicators. A good GIS should: boost productivity, 
improve coordination, create base to make better decisions, and enhance 
service thereby making better use of MYAP resources. We recommend 
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that CRS and its partners develop an integrated information system 
enhanced by the use of a GIS as a useful tool in program monitoring and 
evaluation. GPS units should be used to geo-reference program data and 
show distribution of activities on a map of the program area. This will help 
managers to map out all the indicators and increase transparency and 
accountability at all levels and attract future funders with solid data and an 
innovative monitoring technology. 
5. The program should go beyond simple message delivery to ensure that 
participants internalize messages and apply them into their own households. 
The Program is doing a good job in developing behavioral change strategies, 
targeting specific messages and utilizing multiple communication channels. 
However, implementation of the strategies across all strategic objectives is being 
hampered somewhat by the methodologies being used at the frontlines to transfer 
information. These tend to focus on top-down, lecture methodologies, ensuring 
that the message is stated. More rapid and complete behavioral change can be 
achieved by using methodologies that are more interactive and reflective, 
ensuring that the messages are understood and internalized. Program leadership 
should work toward developing sustainability strategies to uphold the impact of 
the program.
6. Integrate SO3 with other PROSAN SOs: SO3 operates with considerable 
independence from other SOs. There is a strong need to horizontally integrate 
disaster preparedness and management in all of the sector activities being carried 
out by PROSAN in its Title II programming. By not integrating Disaster 
Preparedness with other strategic objectives, PROSAN is missing opportunities 
for a synergistic effect. To build resilient communities, a comprehensive approach 
is needed that combines risk reduction activities (infrastructure, appropriate seeds, 
livestock protection activities, etc.), early warning and disaster response, and 
livelihood recovery. Field agents could be trained to respond to disaster-related 
health threats as a means of integrating disaster preparedness with the rest of the 
program. The program may consider reducing the geographical coverage to 
implement a more comprehensive approach since resources will need to be more 
concentrated, while still promoting early warning and emergency response in the 
wider area. 
7. Commodity Management/Monetization: CRS and its partners should consider 
for increased management efficiency, and greater programming/distribution 
activity integration and means of beneficiary verification should consider 
employing “smartcard, cell phone and biometrics” technologies to reduce human 
inputting error, increase accountability and account for services provided to each 
beneficiary. 
B. Other Recommendations
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8. Expand groups in targeted districts to include more female-headed households. 
The evaluation team found a growing number of female-headed households that 
appear to be the most vulnerable. 
9. Livestock provide important protein to household diets, a source of household 
income, and a critical means of transport. As such, animals constitute a critical 
component of the overall livelihood security strategy. Income earned off-farm—to 
the extent possible—is sometimes invested in the household herd as a form of 
savings as well as a means of coping with unforeseen and unpredictable 
difficulties. The farmers’ view is that a mitigation enterprise such as 
improved poultry and small ruminants can effectively help with the droughts 
and other emergency situations.
10. In order to further reduce chronic malnutrition (stunting) rates, it is recommended 
that the project introduce an agriculture component that focuses less on staple 
foods and micronutrient-rich foods. 
11. Develop and strengthen capacities in conflict resolution: At minimum, follow-up 
programs should ensure that everyone involved in the program receives 
appropriate training in conflict resolution. It is recommended that communities be 
categorized in terms of the risk of violent conflict, and that appropriate protection 
measures are taken given these categorizations. 
12. Implement transparent bookkeeping methods for the non-literate: Whatever model 
communities choose for group activities, a follow-up program must place greater 
emphasis on the use of bookkeeping methods that are equally transparent to non￾literate and literate/numerate persons. 
13. CRS and its partners need to develop clear exit strategies related to 
disengagement from programming in the program areas. Exit strategies are 
essential to reduce the potential for dependency and prevent undermining 
development structures. It is important to convey issues related to time frames to 
communities, the government, and the USAID mission. The exit strategy should 
include a phase down, phase over and phase out analysis. Phase down, which 
involves a gradual reduction of program inputs, is the preliminary stage to both 
phase over and phase out. Phase over refers to the transfer of responsibility for 
activities aimed at accomplishing program goals to another entity. 
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Appendix A: IPTT 
Indicators
Baseline FY07 
Target
FY08 
Target
FY08 
Achieved FY09 Target
FY09 
Achieved
FY10 
Target
FY10 
Achieved FY11 Target
FY12 
targets
LOA 
Target
5.5 NT NT 8.4 6.3 NC NT 5.52 7 7 7
3.8 NT NT 5.2 4.5 NC NT NC 5.2 5.2 5.2
9.50% NT 10% 48.50% 10.80% NC 11.30% 60% 75% 75% 75%
23.10% NT 24,2% 42.10% 26.30% NC 27.50% 57% 75.00% 75.00% 75.00%
37.70% NT 39% 46.30% 41.80% NC 44.70% 98.20% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
0 NT 8,558 981 2,347 1,296 2,450 1,116 4,950 672 9,015
75.20% NT 77.30% 80.10% 80.60% NC 84% 86% 84.60% 84.60% 84.60%
74.50% NT 75.50% 76% 79.80% NC 83% 88% 88.00% 88.00% 88.00%
0 NT 3,500 2,477 8,300 6,361 6700 5,999 5,503 2160 22,500
0 NT 240 279 70 NC 30 76 90 0 376
ND NT 110 42 40 NC 30 NC 91 54 100
40% NT NT 39% 38% NC NT 33.51% 37% NT 37%
48.80% NT NT 41% 46.70% NC NT 34.30% 44.90% NT 44.90%
30.90% NT NT 37% 29.50% NC NT 32.70% 28.40% NT 28.40%
41% NT NT 35% 39% NC NT 38.02% 38% NT 38%
52.00% NT NT 34% 49.70% NC NT 36.10% 47.80% NT 47.80%
31.00% NT NT 36% 29.60% NC NT 39.90% 28.50% NT 28.50%
0 NT 10,954 3,511 4,500 28,380 5,000 26,939 29,500 15,000 103,330
0 NT 5275 1004 3167 2856 1450 1549 4262 1221 10892
53.40% NT 54.80% 67% 57.50% NC 61.40% 92% 75.00% 75.00% 75.00%
ND NT ND 26% NT NC NT 37.54 40% 40% 40%
0 NT 26,000 2,062 50,390 23,442 44,051 8,382 14,181 3,920 22,444
30 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240
ND NT ND 35% NT NC NT 100% 100% 100% 100%
Last IPTT revision May 19, 2011
NT = No Target
NC = Not collected
FY08 Achieved represents Mid Term Evaluation Data
Indicators
Goal: Reduce food insecurity of rural Nigerien HHs from the most vulnerable communities in the regions of Dosso, Tahoua and Zinder by 2012.
Strategic Objective n°1 : protect and enhance livelihoods improving conditions for increased agriculture production and improved agro-enterprise
Impact indicator 1.1: Average number of months of adequate household food provision (IF FFP)
Consortium
Impact indicator 1.2: Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS): 
 (IF FFP)
Consortium
IR 1.1 : Households and communities have adopted agricultural processing and value added practices promoted by the project
Monitoring indicator 1.1.1: : Percentage of households that have adopted at least one of the processing practices promoted. 
Consortium
Monitoring indicator 1.1.2: Percentage of households that have adopted at least one of the marketing practices promoted.
Consortium
Monitoring indicator 1.1.3: Percentage of communities that established a system for processing and marketing of agro pastoral products 
Consortium
IR 1.2: HHs and communities have adopted natural resource management and agro-pastoral production practices promoted by the project.
Monitoring indicator 1.2.1: Number of individuals who have received MYAP supported short term agricultural sector productivity training (MI USAID)
Consortium
Monitoring indicator 1.2.2: Percentage of HHs who adopt at least one NRM practice promoted by the project
Consortium
Monitoring indicator 1.2.3: Percentage of beneficiaries (farmers) using a project-defined minimum number (1) of sustainable agriculture technologies (IS FFP).
Consortium
Monitoring indicator 1.2.4: Number of additional hectares under improved technologies or management practices as a result of MYAP assistance (MI USAID)
Consortium
IR 1.3: Local POs have demonstrably enhanced their administrative, managerial, leadership and accountability skills.
Monitoring indicator1.3.1: Number of producers organizations, water users associations, trade and business associations, and community-based organizations 
(CBOs) receiving MYAP assistance (MI USAID) Consortium
Monitoring indicator 1.3.4: Number of assisted communities with improved community capacity as a result of project assistance (IS FFP)
Consortium
Strategic Objective n°2 : protect and enhance human capabilities by improving household health and nutrition status, especially that of children under five 
and women of childbearing age Impact indicator 2.1a: Percentage of children 6-59 months who are stunted (i.e., <-2 HAZ), disaggregated by gender. (IF FFP)
Consortium
Boys
Impact indicator 2.1b: Percentage of children 0-59 months who are underweight (<-2 z-score weight-for-age), disaggregated by gender (IF FFP)
Girls
Consortium
Boys
Girls
Monitoring indicator 2.1.2 : Number of antenatal care (ANC) visits by skilled providers from MYAP assisted facilities (MI USAID)
Consortium
IR 2.1: Households within target population have improved access to primary health care. 
Monitoring indicator 2.2.1 : Number of people trained in child health and nutrition through MYAP supported health programs (MI USAID)
Consortium
IR 2.2: Health workers use new knowledge and skills to improve implementation of IMCI within target locations.
Monitoring indicator 2.3.3: Number of children reached by USG-supported nutrition programs (MI USAID)
IR 2.3 : HH health and nutrition practices are improved
Monitoring indicator 2.3.1: % Households who have adopted at least one program- recommended health or nutrition practice
Consortium
Consortium
Strategic Objective n°3 : protect and enhance communities’ resiliency by improving their abilities to identify and respond to crises and shocks
Monitoring Indicator: 2.3.2 % of children exclusively breast fed during the last 24 hours preceding the survey
Consortium
IR 3.1: Target communities have operational emergency early warning systems
Monitoring Indicator 3.1.1 : Number of assisted communities with disaster early warning and response systems in place (IS FFP)
Consortium
IR 3.2: Community assets are protected during shocks 
Monitoring Indicator3.2.2 : Number of assisted communities with improved physical infrastructure to mitigate the impact of shocks in place (IS FFP)
Consortium