1 Baseline Report Agriculture and Food Security Response in Tanganyika Province in Democratic Republic of the Congo Award # 720BHA21GR00185 September 2021 Introduction The baseline survey presented in this report as conducted in mid-August in the Nyunzu Health Zone in Nyunzu Territory, Tanganyika Province. These targeted areas have experienced recurring violence, the most recent bouts occurring between February – April 2020. World Relief Congo’s (WRC) emergency response project is functioning to assist vulnerable returnees and to welcome vulnerable families and victims of violence with holistic agricultural assistance. This project will distribute agriculture kits for the restoration of livelihoods and immediate provision of food, as well as to reinforce communication on COVID-19 risks. Methods and Data Sources The sampling size chosen for this survey is representative of household food insecurity indicators in targeted health areas. The sample size was determined by using the sample size calculator software called “Sample Size Calculator by Raosoft,” with an acceptable margin of error of 5%, providing a good estimation of targeted population needs. Thus, a total of 378 households were determined as an adequate sample size from the 22,822 beneficiary households targeted for the agriculture and food security intervention. To determine a random sampling of households consistent with tracking methodologies, a random number table was assigned to identify names on the list of beneficiaries. Selected beneficiaries from the list were then considered sample respondent representatives of their households’ opinions and needs. When collecting data, WRC M&E teams were cognizant of the time pressure that certain activities dictated, such as distributing seeds in the time window of a quickly closing regional agricultural season. The time pressure was the result of a delayed MOU signing which caused the project to start 25 days late and pushed back both this baseline study and the beginning phase of beneficiary identification. in Baltimore to digitalize data collection tools to complete this survey. Tablets functioned not only as tools to collect the data, but thanks to internal M&E servers, also as points of access to the raw data for analysis by teams in the U.S. Even though the use of the tablets were initially more time consuming as enumerators needed to be trained on their functionality and proper use, as well the number of available tablets for data collection was limited, they nevertheless made it possible to provide quick and easy access to raw data for analysis by multiple teams, and timely reporting development. The support unit overseeing World Relief’s humanitarian and disaster relief countries and the M&E impact team was therefore better able to ensure accurate analyses in coordination with WRC teams, thanks to these internal M&E systems. The results obtained from the survey were systematically analyzed using the statistical software "SPSS" alongside Microsoft Excel software for data relating to the calculations of different scores. To enrich the study, supplementary qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions in the targeted communities. As well, secondary data was collected and used from reputable health establishments in the areas of intervention. This data will serve as benchmarks to assess the project’s progress at varying points. Locations and Timing The baseline survey presented in this report as conducted from August 21 – September 9 in the Nyunzu Health Zone of Nyunzu Territory in Tanganyika Province. The survey was conducted just after the selection of the direct beneficiaries (22,822 households), and before the time-sensitive seed and tool distributions. By conducting the survey between these two program activities, the M&E team truly captured the situation of 2 the households targeted so that the degree to which progress is made can be accurately measured throughout the length of the project. The following table summarizes where and when the data was collected for the baseline report. Territory Health Zone Health Area Beneficiary HHs HHs surveyed Survey Date Nyunzu Nyunzu Butondo 2276 38 8/26/2021 Kabeya/May II 389 6 8/28/2021 Kabeya/Mukena 473 9 8/23/2021 Kahinda 4239 70 8/30/2021 Kanunu 3221 53 9/1/2021 Makumbo 683 11 9/1/2021 Mbeya 1475 24 8/31/2021 Ngombe mwana 1268 21 8/24/2021 Ngoy 765 13 8/23/2021 Nyunzu/Kampulo 1520 25 8/25/2021 Nyunzu/Kankwala 2378 39 8/27/2021 Nyunzu/Mukundi 2166 36 8/27/2021 Tchangatchanga II 408 7 8/28/2021 Zongwe 1561 26 8/25/2021 TOTAL ////////////////// /////////////////////// 22 822 378 /////////////////// In summary, the table below describes the situation in each of the health areas initially envisaged for this project, but ultimately not chosen for specific reasons as follows: Limitations and Mitigating Measures Limitations that the M&E team faced while conducting this survey were not only the vast distances that needed to be covered between health areas, but also tracking down the newly selected households for the project. To mitigate this first limitation, covering large spans of geographic areas, WRC doubled down on its logistical coverage by employing four M&E field staff who each were responsible for covering a specified terrain. This allowed for record time coverage of all areas reviewed under the baseline study. As for the challenge of locating the exact beneficiary households, local scouts assisted the M&E teams to find the households required for the survey. Findings Sub-Sector BHA ndicator No. Indicator Baseline Target Intermediate Outcome Percentage of households who report having received good quality seeds through direct distribution activities 0% 90% Output Number of people in need, disaggregated by sex, having covered their basic needs at 0 people 21,680 people 3 the end of the project from agricultural assistance (14,092 Women 7,588 Men) Food Security FS01 Percentage of households with a poor food consumption score (Poor FCS) 94.1% 10% Percentage of households with borderline food consumption score (Borderline FCS) 5.2% 30% Percentage of households with acceptable food consumption score (Acceptable FCS) 0.7% 60% Food Security FS02 Percentage of households with Mean Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) score 88.89% 10% Percentage of households with median Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) score 11.11% 90% Food Security FS03 Percentage of households with a severe Hunger Scale score 98.7% 5% Percentage of Households with moderate Hunger Scale scores 1.3% 95% Food Security FS04 Number of individuals (beneficiaries) participating in BHA food security activities 0 individuals 125,521 Individuals (22,822 HHs) Improved Agricultural Production A01 Number of individuals (beneficiaries) directly benefiting from improving agricultural production 0 individuals 125,521 Individuals (22,822HHs) Improving Agricultural Production A02 Number of hectares under improved management practices or technologies with BHA assistance 0 hectare 44,811 Ha Improving Agricultural Production A03 Number of individuals (beneficiaries) who have applied improved management practices or technologies with BHA assistance 0 individuals 19,398 People Improving Agricultural Production A04 Number of beneficiary households using improved post-harvest storage practices 0 individuals 17,117 HHs Pest and Pesticides A10 Number and percent of hectares protected against disease or pest attacks 0 Ha 0% (of 44,811 Ha under improved methods) 29,127 Ha 65% (of 44,811 Ha under improved methods) Pests and Pesticides A11 Number of individuals (beneficiaries) trained in appropriate crop protection practices 0 individuals 20,557 people Pests and Pesticides A12 Percent of individuals (beneficiaries) who received training who are practicing appropriate crop protection procedures 0% (of 20,557 people trained) 90% (of 20,557 people trained) Outcome Indicator COVID-19 Percentage of project beneficiaries who have been reached by the message on COVID-19 as part of community communication on the pandemic 8,9% 75% Outcome Indicator COVID-19 Percentage of people directly benefiting from the project knowing at least three barrier measures to COVID-19 9,5% 70% 4 Other Impact Assessment Parameters Addressed by the Survey In addition to the USAID/BHA indicators, the survey also addressed other key data points that will inform on the progress of the project related to agriculture and food security and household living conditions. Sub-Sector Indicator Baseline Target Improving Agricultural Production/Food Security % of households taking at least three meals a day on average (after the crisis) 0 % 70% Improving Agricultural Production/Food Security % of households in which children under five take at least five meals per day (after the crisis) 0 % 50% Improving Agricultural Production/Food Security Average revenue by household (after the crisis) $7.50 /month $100 /month Improving Agricultural Production/Food Security % of households whose income has increased 0% 75% Analysis Having clear objectives, impact indicators, as well as the results of the baseline survey allows the M&E team to trace the progress of the population benefiting from the project. Observations, surveys and other mediums of measurement will assess the populations’ knowledge and practices in agricultural techniques, their access to seeds and quality tools, their access to income generation through agriculture, and the level of household food security affected by the program at varying decision gates in the project timeline. Baseline data will serve as a benchmark in measuring project impact in follow-up analyses; especially in understanding the relevance and effectiveness of the intervention prior to and after its completion. Tracking sheets will be developed by the M&E Team and shared with the program staff in charge of implementing direct project activities for progressive monitoring of the objectives and indicators monthly, quarterly and biannually. Progress will be analyzed and used for corrective adjustments, if necessary. Conclusion The baseline data confirmed that WRC will pursue the objectives and activities as planned. No activities or targets have been modified as a result of analyzing the baseline data. These new communities targeted by this program are in acute need of seeds and agricultural tools to relaunch their agricultural activities after more than five failed cropping seasons following repetitive violence in the area. All the villages targeted by this project are found in the classified areas in phase 4 “emergency”, with many returnee and host communities having not yet received any outside emergency assistance. WRC implementation teams are still responding in the same agreed upon larger geographies within Tanganyika Province: Nyunzu territory.