Mercy Corps - Niger AID-OFDA-G-14-00084 Page 1 of 1
Final Program Results Report
Madara
“MILK” in Hausa
Funded by USAID / Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
 
 
Development of action plans by dairy groups and cooperatives
 
Training of micro-entrepreneurs in business management
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Key Results of the MADARA Final 
Evaluation
An external final evaluation of the program rated 
the program performance as Satisfactory to 
Highly Satisfactory. It registered particular 
success in household food security and nutrition, 
nearly halving the percentage of households 
suffering from moderate or severe hunger from 
the baseline, while also significantly reducing the 
use of household coping strategies. The rate of 
children between 6 and 24 months with
minimally diverse diets also nearly tripled over 
the baseline.
1. Executive Summary
The MADARA program, or “milk” in Hausa, has built on the achievements of the OFDA-funded 
PASTORAL I/II programs (March 2011-September 2013) and the Wadata Makiyaya (June 2013-
June 2014) program by enhancing food security and strengthening the livelihoods of vulnerable 
households in the Filingué Department, Tillabéri region of Niger. The program has helped to meet
the early recovery needs and rebuild the livelihoods of more than 32,000 beneficiaries (4,666
households) over the course of 25 months, while making significant strides toward strengthening the 
dairy value chain in Filingué. 
Under Sector 1, Agriculture and Food Security, MADARA undertook interconnected activities 
designed to improve the health and productivity of livestock, including training in improved 
livestock management practices for 1,162 livestock owners, training and equipping of 15 animal 
health workers, rehabilitation and management of 840 hectares of degraded pastureland, and 
increasing the availability of fodder. Under Sector 2, Economic Recovery and Market Systems, the 
program focused on providing support to new and existing businesses and cooperatives both within 
and outside of the dairy value chain. This support took the form of grants and training for 174 
micro-enterprises, training and material support, including the construction of processing centers, 
for seven dairy cooperatives and six transformation groups, and support for the creation of six new 
animal feed banks. MADARA also provided more than $270,000 in cash to vulnerable households 
through more than 100,000 person-days of Cash for Work and Cash for Planting activities. Finally, 
under Sector 3, Nutrition, MADARA trained and worked with 112 local community health and 
nutrition workers and 32 mid-wives to promote the “five essential family practices”.
1 This was done 
through awareness raising sessions, 96 culinary demonstrations, home visits, and the formation of 36 
women’s listening clubs, as well as radio messaging and the screening of short films.
The program notched substantial achievements in 
each of the three sectors in which it focused. 
Under Sector 1, Agriculture and Food Security, 
76% of livestock owners reported improved 
livelihoods from their livestock, with nearly all 
attributing this to program interventions. 
Improved animal health (100% of animals in the 
survey were vaccinated) and fodder availability 
(one additional month per year) resulted in larger, 
more productive herds, with an average increase in 
production of 1 liter of milk/day/cow. Under 
Sector 2, Economic Recovery and Market 
Systems, interviews suggested that micro￾entrepreneurs had increased their income by the equivalent of one month’s earnings per year, while 
investments in new and existing businesses spurred a multiplier effect in target communities, leading 
to the creation of several additional businesses, particularly relating to animal feed. Under Sector 3, 
Nutrition, in addition to the achievements noted above, MADARA oversaw an increase in the rate 
of exclusive breastfeeding from 19% at baseline to 42.5% at endline.
 
1 Adapted from the World Health Organization’s Essential Nutrition Actions (ENAs) and the Essential Hygiene 
Actions (EHAs), these include 1) exclusive breastfeeding to six months, 2) breastfeeding to two years with 
complementary feeding, 3) optimal maternal nutrition practices during pregnancy and lactation,4) use of formal 
health facilities, and 5) a focus on household hygiene.
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MADARA also encountered several challenges that affected either implementation or the program’s
ability to fully achieve its objectives. Among the most important were difficulties in orienting 
producers towards markets and a more professional approach to livestock rearing; water scarcity; 
lack of access to diversified foods; and high levels of illiteracy among beneficiaries. Key lessons 
learned included the necessity of addressing water access in all types of programming; the 
need to link efforts to improve household nutrition to women’s livelihoods; the need for 
cooperatives and processing groups to aggregate production to capture markets; and the 
importance, for sustainability, to of involving government counterparts in the day-to-day 
operations of the program.
2. Program Overview
Large parts of the Nigerien population have been affected by severe food insecurity in the last 
decade, particularly during 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012, after a combination of drought, irregular 
rainfall and flooding decimated crops and forage. The pattern repeated itself in 2013 with the early 
arrival of the rains, followed by a prolonged period of drought that negatively affected both the 
production of cereals and the regeneration of natural fodder. The Filingué department, where 
livelihoods are centered on agro-pastoral activities, was one of the departments most affected by the 
recent drought. An estimated 23.4% of the population in this department was classified as 
moderately food insecure in November 2013, and the risk for food insecurity increased during the 
lean season of 20142
.
The MADARA program was designed to help food insecure households meet their immediate needs 
and rebuild their livelihoods, while simultaneously strengthening the dairy sector value chain to 
improve availability and access to nutritious milk products. The MADARA program worked with 
communities to respond to the need for: 1) Opportunities to rebuild savings and livelihoods 
following successive crises; 2) Sustainable rehabilitation of pastureland to improve access to fodder; 
3) Improved access to nutritious animal feed during the dry and lean season; 4) Strengthened animal 
health and nutrition, and improved quality and quantity of milk production; 5) Increased availability 
and accessibility of local dairy products, and prioritization of dairy products for household 
consumption in order to contribute to improved nutrition and dietary diversity; and 6) Improved 
hygiene in dairy production, and more sanitary conditions in local markets.
3. Performance Summary
Award-Level Beneficiaries: 
Cumulative Period Targeted Cumulative Period Reached
Total IDP Total IDP
21,000
(3,000*) 0
32,662
(4,666*) 0
* Total beneficiaries is based on an average of seven members per household; in parentheses is the number of 
households reached
The MADARA program exceeded its overall beneficiary target by 55.5%, ultimately reaching 4,666 
unique households directly, against an original target of 3,000. This is largely due to the inclusion of 
1,232 previously non-participating households in the final round of Cash for Work (March – May 
 
2GoN “Enquête National”, p. 3.
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2016), as the program targeted villages in Filingué commune that had registered cereal deficits of 
50% or more against normal harvest levels in the final months of 2015. 
SECTOR 1: Agriculture and Food Security
In pursuit of its objective to protect and enhance the productive performance of existing animal 
assets to improve animal nutrition and strengthen dairy production, the MADARA program 
implemented a number of linked activities. Activities and outputs are summarized briefly here, with 
a discussion of targets, performance against indicators, and the findings of the final evaluation
beneath the table below.
Training of Livestock Owners in Improved Practices
MADARA target communities identified 133 well-respected individuals (27 women), most of whom
were viewed by their peers as model livestock rearers, to serve as Livestock Value Chain 
Coordinators (LVCCs) for the program. LVCCs participated in training of trainers sessions with the 
government services techniques and subsequently returned to their communities to train their fellow 
livestock owners on a series of practices designed to improve the health and productivity of 
livestock, with a particular focus on dairy cows. In total, the LVCCs trained 1,162 additional
households on six subjects: 1) cutting and storage of hay; 2) treatment of straw with urea and salt; 3)
herd management; 4) fabrication of multi-nutritional blocks; 5) strategic feeding during the dry 
season and feeding of dairy cows; and 6) hygienic handling of milk.
Rehabilitation of Degraded Pastureland
Through two rounds of Cash for Work (July-August 2014 and March-May 2016) and one round of 
Cash for Planting (July 2015), the MADARA program facilitated the rehabilitation of 640 hectares of 
degraded pastureland in the target area through the construction of demi-lune earthworks (designed 
to retain water and guard against erosion) and the reseeding of 99.34 hectares of this land with more 
than 24,000 locally-produced tree seedlings. 
Creation/Revitalization of Land Management Bodies
MADARA created and trained seven new pastoral land management committees charged with 
overseeing recently rehabilitated pastoral sites, ensuring that they are protected against local 
encroachment or encroachment by transhumant pastoralists. In addition, the program revitalized 10 
Commissions Foncières de Base (COFOBs), local structures responsible for administration of land 
sales, purchases and disputes, providing training or retraining as well as instructional posters. Madara 
also created one new COFOB and monitored the work of three others over the course of the 
program. During the period in which they were monitored, the 14 COFOBS supported or overseen
by the program were responsible for 137 land acts, of which 72% were attributed to newly 
purchased fields.
Training/Re-training and Equipping of Animal Health Workers
In order to expand the reach of the private veterinary service in overwhelmingly rural Filingué, 
MADARA trained or re-trained 15 auxiliaires élevages (animal health workers - AHWs) and provided 
them with micro-entrepreneurship grants for the purchase of necessary equipment and medicines. 
Kits included a clamp, a pair of scissors, an automatic syringe for vaccinations, a Plexiglas syringe 
and a toolbox. The program carried out regular monitoring of the AHWs in concert with the 
Department of Livestock (DDE) and the local Private Veterinary Service (SVPP) in order to assure 
the quality of their work. Monitoring indicated that AHWs treat roughly 8,000-10,000 animals each 
quarter and earn an average of 50,000 FCFA per month, or a little more than $40. This is considered 
a significant success, as this level of income, earned independent of any contribution by the 
program, is sufficient to maintain their engagement in the work. 
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Creation of Six Animal Feed Banks
To increase the availability of nutritious animal feed and fodder in the area of intervention, 
particularly during the dry season, MADARA worked with six dairy cooperatives to establish animal 
feed banks, providing micro-entrepreneurship grants for the purchase of stock and supporting the 
construction (through funds from the Vitol Foundation) of storehouses. In total, the program 
provided around 14,114,000 FCFA (24,000 USD) in support to animal feed banks through grants or 
construction materials (doors, windows, roofing, etc.).
SECTOR #1
Agriculture and Food Security
Objective: Protect and enhance productive performance of existing animal assets to 
improve animal nutrition and strengthen dairy production
Geographic Area (s) Filingué department, Tillabéri region, Niger
Beneficiaries Targeted 7,000 individuals (1,000 households)
Beneficiaries Reached 
(Cumulative) 8,134 individuals (1,162 households)
Subsector: Livestock
INDICATORS Disaggregated Applicable Cumulative Value 
Targeted
Cumulative
Reached
Number of animals benefiting 
from or affected by livestock 
activities
N/A Yes 28,000 26,998
Number of people 
(disaggregated by sex) 
benefiting from livestock 
activities
Male Yes 3,500 3,986*
Female Yes 3,500 4,148*
*
Amended to correct a previous error
Although the program registered a shortfall against the target for the first indicator under this 
objective, it must be noted that there is a significant likelihood that MADARA greatly exceeded its 
target number of animals benefitting from livestock activities. Given the difficulties in avoiding 
double-counting, particularly in assessing the achievements of the AHWs, who made a record of 
their consultations but whose records could not be cross-checked against normal program 
monitoring data, the estimate of 26,998 animals reached is a conservative one, and represents only 
the animals owned by the households (1,162) reached through trainings by LVCCs. Given that 
AHWs reach between 8,000 and 10,000 animals per quarter, it is highly likely that a significant 
portion of these animals were not owned by households who were the recipients of trainings. 
However, because MADARA could not confirm that fact with any certainty, it has left the figure as 
is.
It is also necessary to correct a longstanding error in the counting for the second indicator. Among 
the 1,162 individuals trained by LVCCs were 715 men and 447 women. A mistake was made in 
multiplying each figure by the average household size in the area (7 members) and taking the 
product as the final figure reached for each sex. The proper procedure is to multiply the total 
number of households reached (1,162) by the average household size (7) and then to apportion the 
final product (8,134) among men and women according to their respective shares of the population 
(51% women and 49% men). This is how we’ve arrived at the corrected figures and can state with 
confidence that we’ve reached our target for both men and women under this objective.
Findings from the Final Evaluation
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In general, the final evaluation found solid evidence that MADARA had achieved its aims in the 
Agriculture and Food Security sector, and the evaluators rated achievement of objectives in this 
sector as Highly Satisfactory-Satisfactory. Evidence from qualitative interviews suggested that 
livestock health has improved, mortality is lower, and thus herd sizes have increased on average for 
beneficiaries. Vaccination rates among the livestock of both quantitative and qualitative subjects 
were 100%. Livestock keepers now have one more month of fodder for their livestock than they 
had before the program, which allowed for a concomitant extension of the lactation period during 
the dry season, leading to increased production. There is also evidence to suggest that livestock 
keepers have adopted many of the practices promoted in training from LVCCs. For example, 100% 
of those interviewed reported feeding their livestock agricultural residues, and 90% reported 
providing them with salt licking stones. The quantitative survey found that 58% had purchased 
supplementary fodder for their animals and 29% had purchased concentrates. Among all promoted 
practices, only treatment of straw with urea and salt registered low levels of adoption. The evaluators 
noted several causes for this, while also acknowledging that problems with the uptake of this 
practice are a worldwide phenomenon.
Overall, 76% of surveyed livestock owners reported improved livelihoods due to their livestock, 
with almost all attributing this improvement to program interventions, particularly in regards to 
livestock health and nutrition. Only 10% reported that their livelihoods had worsened. As the figures 
in Table 1 suggest, evidence from the quantitative survey presents a more mixed picture of program 
success. 
Table 1: Evolution in Key Indicators, Agriculture and Food Security Sector
Indicator: Baseline 
Study
Mid￾Term 
Review
Endline
Average daily milk production per cow (l). 3.5 3.5 4.5
1.1. % Seasonal variation of milk volume produced per 
household = difference of milk volume which is not consumed 
between dry and rainy season
29.4 NA 69.1
1.2. % Seasonal variation of the value of milk products sold 
between dry and rainy season 10.59 16.68 53.1
Source: Madara Final Evaluation Report
While overall productivity per cow was found to increase by one liter/day over the life of the 
program, the final evaluation found much greater discrepancies between dry and rainy season 
production and production value than at baseline (see Table 2 below).
Table 2: Seasonal changes of Milk Quantities Produced
Milk quantities 
to be procured 
for sale as 
assessed per 
Focus Group
Dry Season 
(l)
Rainy Season 
(l)
Total (l) Difference 
between 
dry and 
rainy 
season (l)
Percentage 
of of 
difference 
from the 
total (%)
Baseline Study 1,800 3,300 5,100 1,500 29.4
Endline Study 1,020 5,580 6,600 4,560 69.1
Source: Madara Final Evaluation Report
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Madara-Funded Studies of the Dairy Value Chain
MADARA commissioned two studies with important 
implications for actors in the dairy value chain. The 
first, a participatory market study conducted by 
CESAO, a Nigerien consulting firm, clearly revealed
the significant demand for raw milk in Niger and the 
substantial production potential in the Filingué 
department, while identifying challenges impairing 
the ability of local supply to meet demand. The 
second, a marketing study of the tchoukou cheese 
produced by dairy processing groups that was carried 
out by local firm Sara Consult, confirmed the market 
potential of the cheese while simultaneously outlining 
the steps necessary for groups to take in order to 
improve their position in the market.
This contradicts the evidence found in qualitative interviews, which suggested that increased fodder 
availability had cushioned the impacts of the dry season. Overall, findings from this sector point 
toward increased long-term production due to improved health, feeding, and management of 
livestock: it is not clear why this should have resulted in a reduction in dry season production. 
However, the authors of the final evaluation report suggest this may reflect difficulties in accurately 
distinguishing the seasons in the presence of the considerable effects of climate change.
SECTOR 2: Economic Recovery and Market Systems
The MADARA program worked with existing entities and enterprises, and supported new groups 
and micro-entrepreneurs in pursuit of its objective in the sector of restoring the livelihoods of 
vulnerable households and improving access to affordable dairy products through strengthening of 
the dairy value chain. Cash for Work and Cash for Planting efforts to provide temporary 
employment also fall under this sector’s umbrella. Activities and outputs in the sector are 
summarized briefly here, with a discussion of targets, performance against indicators, and the 
findings of the final evaluation beneath the table below.
Financial and Technical Support for Micro-entrepreneurs
Among the close to 500 proposals received for financing of business ideas, the program ultimately 
selected 174 of the most well-supported, well-reasoned and realistic for funding. Micro-enterprises
(MEs) received one or two grants depending on: 1) at what point in the program they applied for 
funding; and 2) the results of an evaluation conducted after the initial disbursement of funds. The 
174 MEs were composed of 568 individuals (54% women), and grants disbursed totaled 122,224
USD. Recipients included AHWs, dairy cooperatives operating animal feed banks, dairy processing 
groups, other businesses in the dairy value chain, and non-dairy related businesses. More than 300 
individuals representing all 174 MEs received training in business management principles from
Madara’s partner Asusu S.A., a national micro-finance organization. Asusu’s field agents also worked 
closely with all MEs to open bank accounts and to provide post-grant monitoring and technical 
support.
Creation and Support of Dairy Cooperatives and Dairy Processing Groups
As an essential part of its support to the 
strengthening of the dairy value chain, 
MADARA supported two existing dairy 
processing groups and one existing dairy 
cooperative in the zone of intervention, while 
establishing five new groups and five new 
cooperatives over the course of the program. 
It supported each of the groups and 
cooperatives with a series of trainings in 
cooperative principles, business management 
and hygienic standards for milk handling. In 
addition, it trained all 180 group members (all 
women) on cheese quality and presentation to 
improve the uniformity of production 
processes and the final product, and thirty 
additional members also participated in a study tour to learn new production techniques. Dairy 
cooperatives received ME grants to stock animal feed banks, while groups received grants to 
purchase equipment for dairy processing centers (see below). 
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Construction/Rehabilitation of Dairy Processing Centers
With complementary funding from the Vitol Foundation, MADARA rehabilitated one existing and 
constructed four new dairy processing centers. Each center, designed jointly with the Departmental 
Directorate of Rural Engineering (DDRE) based on an existing center, included three rooms: one 
for the transformation of milk into cheese, one for safe storage of milk, and an office equipped with 
a table and three chairs. In addition, cold chain equipment was installed in each center: two solar 
panels, two batteries, a solar-powered refrigerator with a capacity of 165 liters, and accessories. The 
new centers are facilitating the professionalization of dairy processing groups, allowing for storage 
and uniformity of production in a sanitary environment.
Temporary Employment
Through Cash for Work and Cash for Planting activities, MADARA provided much-needed income
to vulnerable households in Filingué during several periods of food insecurity resulting from poor 
harvests. In July and August 2014, 1,500 households benefitted from 21 days of Cash for Work 
activities, while in July 2015 1,681 households (including the 1,500 previous households) benefitted 
from three days of Cash for Planting. Finally, from March - May 2016, 1300 households, more than 
1,200 of which were new to the program, benefitted from 54 days of Cash for Work. In total, the 
program funded 107,700 person days of work, distributing 271,876.78 USD in cash. According to a 
distribution monitoring study carried out in April 2016, 95% of cash received was spent on food. 
SECTOR #2
Economic Recovery and Market 
Systems
Objective: Restore livelihoods of vulnerable households and improve access to affordable 
dairy products for communities in the Filingué department through strengthening of the 
dairy value chain
Geographic Area (s) Filingué department, Tillabéri region, Niger
Beneficiaries Targeted 21,000 individuals (3,000 households)
Beneficiaries Reached 
(Cumulative) 22,750 individuals (3,250 households)
Subsector 2.1 Livelihoods Restoration
INDICATORS Disaggregated Applicable Cumulative Value 
Targeted
Cumulative 
Reached
Number of people
(disaggregated by sex) assisted 
through livelihoods restoration 
activities
Male No 1,575 878
Female Yes 1,575 718
Percentage of beneficiaries 
reporting their livelihoods 
restored within three to six 
months after receiving support
N/A Yes 90% 74%
Total USD amount channeled 
into the program area through 
sub-sector activities N/A Yes $7,500 $8,335
INDICATORS Disaggregated Applicable Cumulative Value 
Targeted
Cumulative 
Reached
Number of people assisted 
through new livelihoods
development activities, 
disaggregated by sex
Male Yes 1,400 1,889
Female Yes 1,400 2,071
Number of new MSEs started N/A Yes 400 174*
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Percentage of people
(disaggregated by sex) continuing 
in their new livelihoods by 
program completion
Male Yes 90% 75%
Female Yes 90% 83%
Total USD amount channeled 
into the program area through 
sub-sector activities
N/A Yes $124,000 $122,224
INDICATORS Disaggregated Applicable Cumulative Value
Targeted
Cumulative 
Reached
Number of people employed 
through Cash-for-Work 
activities, disaggregated by sex
Male Yes 1,050 2,095
Female Yes 450 1,262
Average total USD amount per 
person earned through CFW 
activities
N/A Yes $134 $1203
Total USD amount channeled 
into the program area through 
sub-sector activities.
N/A Yes $201,000 $271,876.78 
*This is a correction of the figure stated in the finally quarterly report. Unfortunately, it included a double-counting of 
six micro-entrepreneurs. 174 is the correct number.
As can be noted from the table above, MADARA’s performance in meeting targets for relevant 
indicators was mixed, with the program exceeding some targets while falling short on others. Much 
of this can be attributed to a shifting of the intensity of focus among sub-sectors and among specific 
beneficiaries. For example, the program only reached 1,596 beneficiaries against a target of 3,150 for 
livelihoods restoration activities, while reaching 3,960 beneficiaries against a target of 2,800 in new 
livelihoods development, reflecting a decision to focus more heavily on new livelihoods and 
businesses in a context in which the demand for starting new businesses far exceeded that for 
support to existing businesses. Likewise, the large shortfall in the number of new MEs created (174 
versus a target of 400) can be explained by the decision to support, in addition to individual micro￾entrepreneurs, MEs composed of groups, which is how the program ultimately reached 568 
households under this sub-sector. Given the support for groups, average grant sizes were also larger 
than initially envisioned, but ultimately spending for each sub-sector was roughly at expected levels.
Unfortunately, the program was not as successful in ensuring the durability of new livelihoods or the 
restoration of existing livelihoods as it had anticipated. In both cases, targets of 90% were likely too 
high, given that virtually all of the livelihoods supported were business-based, and even among 
micro-entrepreneurs, the rates of failure among businesses can be significant. With that in mind, the 
fact that 79% of program-supported MEs were still in operation at the end of the program 
(excluding the 19 MEs who received their initial grants in the final quarter), in spite of a number of 
deaths and cases of seasonal migration, seems a solid achievement.
In regards to Cash for Work, Mercy Corps far exceeded its target numbers after adding a second 
round of Cash for Work during the No-Cost Extension period of the program (which was possible 
after Cash for Work was not needed in 2015 given a solid harvest at the end of 2014). This second 
round targeted more than 1,200 new households, which was necessary given the differing 
vulnerability profiles for villages households during the two separate crises (2014 and 2016). In the 
end, the program expended around $70,000 more than expected on Cash for Work activities, which 
reflected the substantial need in the wake of severe cereal deficits in several target villages. This was 
 
3 Figure is the total only for this round of Cash for Work and does not include earnings from earlier in the program.
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able to be covered by cost savings in other areas of the program, such as on vehicle fuel, office rent 
and office utilities. 
Findings from the Final Evaluation
Achievement of objectives in this sector were rated Satisfactory. Although the evaluators did not 
collect data on income, they found in qualitative interviews that beneficiaries of the ME portion of 
the program reported the equivalent of one month of increased earnings post-project. Likewise, 
women who were members of dairy processing groups reported that their income from cheese￾making was greater than that for other activities such as peanut oil extraction and small commerce. 
The evaluators found that MADARA had diversified income-generation options for target 
beneficiaries, which had had a multiplier effect in target communities, leading to the creation of new 
businesses independent of program support. This was especially true of animal feed businesses, and 
as a result, they were viewed as likely one of the most durable contributions of the program to 
community well-being. A summary of the transactions of the six animal feed banks is included in 
Table 3 below.
Table 3: Grants, Withdrawals, Purchases, Sales and Profits within the Feed Business Sector*
Location Total 
Grants
Withdrawal Feed Purchase % Sold fodder 
vs. remaining 
fodder
Village/co
operative
FCFA Total 
(FCFA)
% of 
grant
Total 
(FCFA)
% of 
total 
grant
% of 
with￾drawal
%
Tchiolé/
Beidari 882,400 730,000 82,7 1,109,500 125.7 152.0 39.3
Makani 
.S/Ladabi 3,142,200 3,000,000 95,5 1,800,000 57.3 60.0 24.4
Garin 
Kimba/
Weltaré
7,780,200 4,750,000 61,1 4,032,500 51.8 84.9 7.6
Tamag./
Niima 2,680,000 2,325,000 86,8 2,250,000 84.0 96.8 1.8
Toukouno
us /Daddo 2,650,000 1,770,000 66,8 1,375,000 51.9 77.7 0.0
Dinkim/N
iyadakokari 2,486,000 600,000 24,1 600,000 24.1 100.0 22.0
TOTAL 19,366,600 12,257,000 63,3 1,106,7000 57.1 90.3 12.5
Source: Madara Final Evaluation Report
*Through March 2016
Data for baseline and endline indicators is presented in the sectoral indicator table above (% of 
livelihoods restored, % of people continuing in new livelihoods, number of new MSEs started) with 
one exception: % of households who have consumed milk or milk products during the previous 24 
hours. The final evaluation found that only 48.8% of surveyed households reported consuming milk 
products in the previous 24 hours, as compared to 73% at baseline and 100% during the internal 
mid-term evaluation. It is unclear what may have caused this steep decline, although it should be 
noted that the final evaluation was carried out at the end of the dry season, when milk production is 
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likely at its lowest. However, the baseline evaluation took place at the same time of year, and so a 
decline of nearly 25% was still registered. 
SECTOR 3: Nutrition
In pursuit of its objective to improve uptake of key Infant and Young Child Feeding and optimal 
maternal nutrition practices, the MADARA program engaged in a number of awareness-raising 
efforts to improve knowledge and behaviors around nutrition and health. Activities and outputs are 
summarized briefly here, with a discussion of targets, performance against indicators, and the 
findings of the final evaluation beneath the table below.
Training of Health and Nutrition Coordinators and Midwives
With an emphasis on promoting the five essential family practices (EFPs), MADARA trained 112 
Local Health and Nutrition Coordinators (CLSNs) as well as 32 midwives on the EFPs and 
communication techniques for behavior change, to support them in their roles as behavior change 
agents in target communities. CLSNs led community-level trainings and discussions on the EFPs, 
carried out cooking demonstrations, organized discussion/listening clubs, and made home visits to
individual households. The visits were targeted for women who practiced exclusive breastfeeding 
and complementary feeding in order to provide them with further advice on these practices.
Cooking Demonstrations
As part of its effort to encourage the consumption of nutritionally diverse and rich meals with 
locally available ingredients, MADARA hosted cooking demonstrations in 16 target villages.
Demonstrations of six recipes were held in each village, for a total 96 demonstrations over the life of 
the program. MADARA particularly targeted pregnant and lactating women and women with 
children between 6 and 24 months with this activity, as well as the elderly, who are also often 
charged with food preparation. Cooking demonstration sessions were always coupled with 
awareness-raising sessions on the EFPs. In total, approximately 519 women and at least 25 men 
participated in these demonstrations over the course of the program.
Creation of Listening Clubs
In order to increase the channels of communication aimed at behavior change, the program 
established 36 women’s listening clubs across 16 target villages. Each listening club had 20 members 
and was given a solar radio equipped with a memory card containing recordings of key messages on 
the EFPs. Through these clubs, the program aimed to increase each member’s knowledge and 
awareness on essential family practices, and subsequently encouraged her to raise the awareness of 
five other women in her village on these issues, thereby gaining a much larger audience.
Multi-Media Awareness Campaign
The program drew on locally available media channels in a further effort to communicate 
information on the EFPs to its target audience. It drew heavily on local radio airtime, signing 
contracts with Filingué rural radio to air 90 key messages (45 in Hausa and 45 in Zarma) across the 
24 target villages. It also organized two, one-hour radio debates on the EFPs, with partners from the 
sanitary district of Filingué and a religious opinion leader participating. The broadcasts of both 
debates were integrated into radio programming and were broadcast a total of five times each.
Finally, more than 300 women viewed films on the EFPs screened by MADARA in four target 
villages.
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SECTOR #3
Nutrition
Objective: Improve uptake of key Infant and Young Child Feeding and optimal 
maternal nutrition practices
Geographic Area (s) Filingué department, Tillabéri region, Niger
Beneficiaries Targeted 21,000 individuals (3,000 households)
Beneficiaries Reached 
(Cumulative) 17,675 (2,525 households)
Subsector: Infant and Young 
Child Feeding and Behavior 
Change
INDICATORS Disaggregated Applicable Cumulative 
Value Targeted
Cumulative 
Reached
Number and percentage of 
infants 0 through<6 months of 
age who are exclusively 
breastfed
N/A Yes 700 654*
, 42.5%
Number and percentage of 
children 6 through <24 months 
of age who receive foods daily 
from 4 or more food groups (to 
achieve minimum dietary 
diversity)
N/A Yes 1,500 (40%) 769**, 50%
Number of people receiving 
behavior change interventions, 
disaggregated by sex and age (0-
11 months, 1-4 years, 5-14 years, 
15-49 years, 50-60 years, 60+ 
years)
Age Female Male F/M***
0-11 months 450 450 431/415
1-4 years 2,100 2,100 2,220/2,132
5-14 years 5,000 4,000 3,741/3,594
15-49 years 3,200 2,600 2,534/2,434
50-60 years 340 250 47/46
60+ years 310 200 41/40
Number and percentage of 
children 6 through <24 months 
of age who receive foods daily 
from 4 or more food groups (to 
achieve minimum dietary 
diversity)
Total 11,400 9,600 9,014/8,661
*Calculated by estimating the total population (1,538)--based on population distributions for Filingué commune--of 
children within target households born after the launch of the program who had reached at least six months of age by 
the end of the program and multiplying this population by the rate of exclusive breastfeeding measured in the endline 
evaluation.
** Calculated by estimating the total population (1,538)--based on population distributions for Filingué commune--of 
children within target households between 6 and 24 months of age at the time of the endline evaluation, and multiplying 
this population by the rate of minimum dietary diversity measured at that time.
***Calculated by taking the total number of individuals reached (number of HHs reached X 7 members/household), 
apportioning them among each age category according to the age distribution in Filingué commune, and then 
disaggregating within age categories using the gender distribution in the area of intervention—51% female and 49% 
male. 
Overall, the program reached 17,675 beneficiaries in the sector. This final figure represents a 
correction to what has been indicated in previous reports, as those numbers did not take into 
account the number of households reached through regular sensibilization sessions carried out by 
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CLSNs at the village level, the activity that reached the largest number of households by a 
substantial margin. One obvious cause of the shortfall of beneficiaries reached (versus a target of 
21,000) in the sector was the fact that the program ultimately carried out nutrition activities in only 
16 of its 24 target villages. This was done in order to avoid the duplication of preventative nutrition 
activities in eight target villages already covered by a peer agency. Through widely-attended 
sensibilization sessions and sanitation campaigns that mobilized entire villages to carry out cleaning 
activities, MADARA reached virtually 100% of the households in target villages with activities in this 
sector. 
Rates of exclusive breastfeeding increased from 19% at baseline to 42.5% at endline. Although there 
were some discrepancies in routine monitoring and in the mid-term, the endline figure still 
represents a more than doubling of the overall rate of exclusive breastfeeding. Likewise, the program 
notched an impressive increase in the percentage of children between six months and two years of 
age with a minimum dietary diversity (recieiving foods daily from four or more food groups), from 
18% to 50%, surpassing its target of 40%. The program did fall short in terms of the numbers of 
children reached for both indicators, although in the case breastfeeding, it achieved a very 
respectable 93% of its target. In addition, the target of 1,500 children between the ages of 6 and 24 
months with a minimum dietary diversity was estimated too high. Given that this number offers just 
a snapshot in time, and based on our calculation (drawn from age distribution figures for Filingué 
commune, which were made available after target setting) of the population of children (1,538) of 
this age in target households at the time of the endline evaluation, meeting this target would have 
required nearly 100% of target children to have exceeded the threshold of a minimum dietary 
diversity. 
Findings from the Final Evaluation
The final evaluation rated Madara’s achievement of its objectives in the Nutrition sector as 
Satisfactory-Moderately Satisfactory. Overall, the evaluators noted that changes in behaviors were 
lagging behind that of knowledge and attitudes, and that the program needed more time to solidify 
its achievements and to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. However, as can be noted in 
Table 4 below, the program reached some of its biggest successes in the nutrition and food security
sector. 
Table 4: Evolution in Key Indicators, Nutrition Sector
INDICATORS Baseline Midterm 
Review Endline 
Average Household Coping Strategy 
Index (CSI) Score 17 20 12.7
Average Household Dietary Diversity 
Score (HDDS) 6 6 4.9
Women’s Dietary Diversity Score –
WDDS (specifically, number of food 
groups consumed by women of 
reproductive age 15-49 years)
5 4 5
% of households with moderate or severe 
hunger (Household Hunger Scale --
HHS)
31% 25% 16.7%
Source: Madara Final Evaluation Report
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Significant reductions in household hunger and use of coping strategies (coping strategies represent
a proxy for food insecurity—thus, the higher the CSI Score, the more food insecure the household)
occurred among MADARA’s target households over the course of the program, with the rate of 
households experiencing moderate or severe hunger nearly cut in half. A decrease in the average 
Household Dieetary Diversity Score (HDDS) from 6 to 4.9 may at least be partially explained by 
declines in the consumption of milk products during the period surveyed, as well as a general lack of 
availability of certain varieties of foods, which was an overarching problem noted by the evaluators. 
Women’s dietary diversity remained flat, but it may be viewed as an accomplishment of the program 
(and perhaps a result of MADARA’s work to target women with new livelihoods and livelihoods 
restoration activities) that it improved vis-à-vis the overall dietary diversity of households, such that 
women’s dietary diversity is now on the same level as the rest of their household.
Data on rates of exclusive breastfeeding and minimally diverse diets for 6 to 24-month olds is 
presented in the sectoral table above. Regarding exclusive breastfeeding, one note of caution was 
sounded by the evaluators in the case of mothers with sub-standard nutrition or limited access to 
sufficient potable water. They noted that recommendations to exclusively breastfeed in these cases 
can be counterproductive for both mother and child, given that babies are unlikely to get necessary 
levels of nourishment from breastmilk alone if the mother is malnourished or dehydrated.
4. Key Challenges/Constraints
MADARA confronted a number of physical/environmental, social, and structural challenges that 
constrained its ability to fully achieve its objectives. The most important factors contributing to the 
challenges were:
 The transition from traditional livestock practices to a more market-oriented, business￾focused outlook. Among the population of livestock owners and dairy cooperatives with which 
MADARA was working, the efforts of the program to professionalize practices and to push 
beneficiaries to orient themselves to the market met with limited success, as the inertia to 
maintain the status quo and to passively preserve traditional practices frequently overcame the 
drive for change. What is needed is additional time, as such changes cannot be expected to take 
hold in only two years and transforming habits/routines/behaviors takes a significantly longer 
time.
 Limited access to water. Meager water infrastructure in MADARA’s zone of intervention 
directly or indirectly impacted nearly all of its activities. In particular, it limited animal 
productivity and health (through a lack of drinking water and ability to cultivate fodder), 
household dietary diversity (by limiting or preventing dry season vegetable production or 
significant kitchen gardens), household hygiene and hygienic production of milk. 
 Lack of availability of diverse foods. Many beneficiaries were lacking access to diverse food 
sources, particularly fruits and vegetables that are not or cannot be grown in local fields and are 
not available in local markets. This hindered the ability of the program to improve household 
dietary diversity and the ability of households to apply the EFPs (particularly those concerning 
the nutrition of small children and pregnant/lactating women). A major barrier to accessing 
diverse foods is the limited access to water.
 High rates of illiteracy among beneficiaries. Although all trainings conducted under the 
aegis of the program were tailored to illiterate individuals, program agents noted that illiterate 
beneficiaries were less likely to apply practices and knowledge learned in training, suggesting that 
illiteracy is a major constraint to behavior change even when care is taken to address the needs 
of these individuals.
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 Long distances to health centers. Not only did the relative scarcity of health infrastructure 
and formal healthcare in MADARA’s zone of intervention hinder the capacity of target 
households to implement one of the EFPs (use of formal health facilities), but it also reduced 
the overall health profiles of beneficiaries, which hampered productivity and their ability to 
participate meaningfully in program activities.
 Securing rehabilitated land from transiting pastoralists. The program rehabilitated more 
than 600 hectares of degraded pastureland for sustainable, future use, but the land management 
committees put in place by MADARA struggled to protect it from encroachment and 
exploitation by pastoralists transiting through the region. This issue might be addressed in the 
future by affording some official status to committee members in their communities and/or 
pursuing awareness campaigns for pastoralists.
5. Key Lessons Learned
The lessons outlined below are derived from MADARA staff, the final evaluation of the program, 
the dairy value chain study and the cheese marketing study.
 Water scarcity issues must be addressed to drive long-term, sustainable 
improvements in food security and resilience. Without sufficient access to water to 
ensure human and livestock health, permit dry season vegetable cultivation, and increase 
fodder production, the long-term impacts of nutrition, sanitation and livestock productivity 
activities in the Filingué region will be uncertain. Water is a cross-cutting issue that must be 
addressed within all early recovery and development programming.
 Nutrition interventions and women’s livelihood interventions are closely linked.
Attempting to address household malnutrition and dietary diversity without giving women 
the means—whether through income-generating activities or access to land, water and 
knowledge to carry out vegetable production—to provide for their households’ alimentary 
needs is insufficient. The two must be addressed in tandem.
 Animal productivity is improved more rapidly through health than nutrition 
interventions. The fastest gains in milk productivity were realized through vaccinations and 
related health interventions. Nutrition-based improvements relating to the amount, quality, 
and diversity of feed available were much slower to see success.
 Government counterparts must be involved in the day-to-day functioning of the 
project as much as possible. Although MADARA noted high levels of participation from 
and cooperation with the government technical services and other state actors, particularly in 
regards to carrying out training, targeting of beneficiaries and monitoring of some activities 
to really ensure a successful hand-over of activities requires their more regular involvement. 
This was particularly noted in regards to government health workers, but is relevant for 
other state actors as well.
 Plan and adapt to ensure the inclusivity and success of illiterate beneficiaries
engaged in micro-entrepreneurship activities. Illiteracy seemed to be a particular 
constraint for micro-entrepreneurs who found the requirements for business plans and to 
open banks accounts especially challenging. Thus, in the future, these constraints must be 
better managed to ensure that illiterate beneficiaries can participate just as fully. One may 
also consider incorporating literacy courses as part of training for micro-entrepreneurs.
 Address missing links between producers and large-scale processers and retailers in 
the dairy value chain. There is a serious disconnect between the production potential in 
Filingué and the demand for raw milk by Niamey-based processors and retailers. Too much 
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milk is transformed into low-value products at the household level or wasted for lack of a 
market link. Creation of a large milk collection center in Filingué linked to a major retailer 
would go a long way toward opening high-value markets for producers and meeting the 
demand of sellers.
 Dairy cooperatives and processing groups should use their strength in numbers to 
capture markets. With production still being carried out on a very small-scale, even among 
cooperatives and groups, producers should consolidate their efforts through formation of 
unions or similar bodies in order to aggregate production and be more attractive to 
wholesale buyers. Larger groups of producers would also be able to negotiate better prices 
for inputs and equipment.
6. Annexes
 Annex: MADARA External Final Evaluation Report